Where To Cut A Christmas Tree In Wayne For 2023

WAYNE, NJ — It’s still early, but if you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from North Jersey tree growers.

Here are a few places to start, which are already open or will open on Black Friday:

• Bear Swamp Farm: 83 Otterhold Road, West Milford, 07480. Phone: 973-697-2541. Open Fri-Sun beginning this weekend.
• Alstede Farms: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, 07930. Phone: 908-258-6245. Open daily.
• Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm, 4 West Field Road, Mendham, 07945. Phone: 973-865-6362. Open daily.
• Deepdale Farm, 1174 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, 07430. Phone: 201-934-9065. Open Fri-Sun beginning Nov. 24.

Last year, the median price for trees purchased directly from a grower was about $93, according to PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org. About 26 million live trees were sold last year, compared to 27.4 million in 2018.

A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association, an industry trade group, shows that of the 94 percent of Americans who plan to put up a Christmas tree this year, only 23 percent will display a live tree.

Last year, live tree prices increased about 10 percent, largely due to inflation and drought, according to industry experts.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — are expected to translate to slightly higher 2023 Christmas tree prices, according to a report from Country Folks Grower, a business-to-business publication serving fresh market and ornamental crops.

“A lot can happen in a half dozen years that can change the outlook for a Christmas tree crop from one season to the next,” the report said. “Farmers will be facing challenges in the 2023 Christmas tree season brought about by developments over the past several years.”

At any given moment, about 350 million Christmas trees are growing on tree farms across the country.

It typically takes a tree between six and eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating. Large trees — those 7 feet and taller — may be in short supply because sales of smaller trees have been strong in recent years, the report said. Also, people may need to settle for a different species than they’re accustomed to buying.