New Jersey Christmas trees: Where to cut your own this year

Kelly-Jane Cotter | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption When to put up your Christmas tree this year Depending upon who you ask, the holiday season starts as soon as the Christmas tree goes up. But when is the right time to get things lit?

Buying a real, fresh-cut Christmas tree at a New Jersey farm is as much about the experience as it is about the purchase.

Run through the rows of trees and take in the woodsy fragrance. Peek through the branches and you might see remnants of a bird's nest. Some trees might even be decorating themselves for the holidays, sprouting tiny pine cones.

So get out there and enjoy New Jersey's farms! If you don't want to do the actual sawing, employees can do that for you at most farms, along with bagging your tree and carrying it to your car. Some farms restrict the sawing to staff.

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Where is your Christmas tree growing? Check out the following farms:

Burlington County

Cowperthwait Tree Farm

Go: 269 New Freedom Road, Southampton. Hours: Open Nov. 29 and weekends through Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: Limited selection of trees to cut this year, but plenty of pre-cuts from Western Pennsylvania. Info: cowperthwaittreefarm.com.

Edwards Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 338 Jacobstown-Cookstown Road, Wrightstown. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 and weekends to Christmas Eve. Details: Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, Balsam Fir. $40 to $105. Santa is at the farm every weekend. Info: edwardstrees.com.

Farmer Jack's Christmas Trees

Go: 150 Route 530, Southampton. Hours: Open Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with daily hours for the season. Details: meet & greet with an Alpaca, visits with Santa, letters to Santa, all free. S'mores With Santa, $20 for a family pass, from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30. Info: Facebook

Sandy Creek Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 2881 Route 206, Columbus. Hours: Opens for the season Nov. 23. Check for updated hours. Details: Arson in the summer of 2018 destroyed the barns and damaged a historic farmhouse, but Sandy Creek is re-building and farm is open. Cut-your-own trees, carriage rides, hay rides, visits with Santa. Info: facebook.com/sandycreektreefarm/.

Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 194 Bordentown Road, Chesterfield. Hours: For 2019, open Nov. 23 through Dec. 22, with hours Thursdays through Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: Family farm since 1987. Choose-and-cut trees are $55 to $90, by height, and $75 and up for Fraser Firs. Pre-cut and balled trees and handmade wreaths also available. No pets allowed. Info: Facebook

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Camden County

Culbertson's Nursery

Go: 688 Burnt Mill Road, Atco. Hours: Call for updates. Details: Pines and spruces. Info: 856-341-6331.

Cumberland County

Forevergreen Tree Farm

Go: 834 Lebanon Road, Millville. Hours: 9 .am. to 5 p.m. Fridays and weekends. Details: Family-owned farm. Tagging and cut-your-own. Wreaths also available. Info: forevergreentree.com/

Gloucester County

Belly Acres Farm

Go: 665 Royal Ave., Franklinville. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30 and weekends through Dec. 22. Details: All trees $60. 856-694-0350 or on Facebook.

Exley's Christmas Tree Farms

Go: 1535 Tanyard Road, Sewell; and 1512 Monroeville Road,

Monroeville. Hours: 9 a.m .to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Details: Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, White Pine. Pre-cut Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Turkish Fir. Wreaths, roping, grave blankets. Children's activities and visits with Santa. Leashed dogs welcome, but patrons are asked to bring bags to collect waste. No power saws. exleyschristmastreefarms.com.

Kozy Acres

Go: 501 Fairview Road Glassboro. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and weekends. Details: Family-owned farm and apiary. Wreaths, grave blankets, honey, soap and lotions. Free coffee, hot chocolate and snacks. Leashed dogs welcome. kozyacres.com.

Triple Dog Dare You Farm

Go: 101 Idle Lake Road, Franklinville. Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk on weekends. Details: Tractor ride, vintage fire engine, farm dogs. Info: 609-685-6234 or on Facebook.

Hunterdon County

Alger Tree Farm

Go: 7 Beacon Light Road, Califon. Hours: Open Nov. 29 and weekends, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details: Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, Norway Spruce, and Colorado Blue Spruce. Most trees are $80, with some at $50 or $60. Cash and check only. Info: 908-832-2298 or algertreefarm.com.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 231 Adamic Hill Road, Milford section of Holland Township. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season on Nov. 29, with hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and weekends. Details: This farm, which exclusively offers Douglas Firs, began in 1985 as a way to support the Volendam Windmill, an 80-foot-tall tourist attraction on site. Wreaths, greens, gifts. Veteran-owned and dog-friendly. Info: charliebrownschristmastreefarm.com

Cherryville Farms

Go: 352 Quakertown Road, Pittstown. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season Nov. 29 and runs weekends until Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details: Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir. Pricing is about $8.50 per foot. Cash or check only. Wreaths, crafts, refreshments, wagon rides. Cut-your-own or staff will cut. No chainsaws. Leashed pets welcome, but patrons are asked to bring bags to clean up waste. Info: 908-806-4580 or cherryvillefarmsnj.com.

A Christmas tree in Normandy Beach A Christmas tree overlooks the crashing waves in Normandy Beach

Middlesex County

Barclay's Tree Farm

Go: 35 Orchardside Dr., Cranbury. Hours: 9 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. Nov 29 and weekends through Christmas. Details: Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, White/Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir. Price is $60 for any tree up to 12 feet and $120 for over 12 feet. Wreaths, Christmas tree stands and other supplies for sale. Local honey. Info: 609-799-1855 or barclaystreefarm.com.

Giamarese Farm

Go: 155 Fresh Pond Road, East Brunswick. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Details: Christmas trees available for tagging and cutting, from Thanksgiving week through Christmas Eve. Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, available for cutting. Pre-cut Fraser firs. No pets allowed. Farm market also open. Info: 732-821-9494 or giamaresefarm.com.

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Habiak Farms

Go: 315 Deans Rhode Hall Road, South Brunswick. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season Nov. 29, with hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays and weekends. Info: 908-917-6388 or on Facebook.

Monmouth County

Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 114 Daum Road, Manalapan. Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., through Dec. 23. Details: 100-acre farm with more than 50,000 trees. Christmas shop, hot chocolate, food court, gift shop, visit farm animals, pictures with Santa. Field-grown trees start at $65, pre-cut start at $50. Only pre-cut trees after dark. Info: 732-786-9277 or anneellenfarms.com.

Cedar Hill Farm And Nursery

Go: Corner of Dwight and Red Hill Road, Middletown. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season on Nov. 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and until 5 p.m. Sundays. No admittance in the field after 4:30 p.m. Details: Cut-your-own and pre-cut trees. No pre-tagging or holding trees. Cut-your-own trees are cash only. Info: On Facebook.

Conover Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 3105 Hurley Pond Road, Wall. Hours: Open for tagging noon to dark, Wednesday through Fridays. Cutting hours are noon to dark on Fridays, 8 a.m. until dark on weekends. Check Facebook for updates. Details: Open for tagging and cutting. Trees are $45 to $118. Info: 732-938-3782 or conoversfarm.com.

The Fir Farm

Go: 166 Hillsdale Road, Colts Neck. Hours: Opens Nov. 30 for the 2019 season. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays through Sundays. Details: Handmade wreaths, cut trees, participant in Trees for Troops on Dec. 6, 7, and 8. Info: 732-598-6056 or thefirfarm.com.

Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop

Go: 848 Route 524 (Stone Tavern Road), Allentown. Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m .to 5 p.m. through Dec. 24. Details: A third-generation, 24-acre Christmas tree farm. Cut-your-own and balled trees. Pre-cut Fraser Firs from North Carolina. Wreaths, roping, Christmas shop, hot chocolate, visits with Santa. Info: 609-259-0720 or kerischristmastreefarm.com.

Patterson Greenhouses

Go: 636 Adelphia Road, Howell. Hours: Check for updates. Details: Tagging and cutting trees. Grave blankets, wreaths, greenhouse. Info: 732-431-5271 or pattersongreenhouses.com.

Morris County

Fairview Farm Christmas Trees

Go: 91 East Mill Road, Long Valley. Hours: The 2019 season opens Nov. 29 and runs weekends through Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: A 115-acre farm with more than 6,000 available fir trees, including Fraser, Canaan, Balsam, Concolor and Balsam-Fraser hybrids. You choose tree and staff will cut it down. Trees are grown without pesticides. All trees cost $80. Cash or check only. Info: fairviewfarmchristmastrees.com

Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 4 West Field Road, Mendham. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season Nov. 29. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 24. Details: In its 12th year, the farm continues to offer free treats on weekends: hay rides, hot chocolate, bonfires and roasted marshmallows. Cut your own Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, from $55 to $85. Pre-cut trees, from Hidden Pond's location in Pennsylvania, are $65. Handmade wreaths and greens. Leashed dogs welcome. Hidden Pond uses sustainable, organic farming practices. Cash or check only. Info: 973-865-6362 or hiddenpondtreefarm.com

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Plut's Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 220 Flocktown Road, Long Valley. Hours: Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Details: Blue Spruce, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Serbian Spruce, Concolor Fir. You choose and staff will cut. Pre-cut trees also available. Wreaths, garlands, grave blankets, gift shop, concessions. Dogs welcome. Cash or check only. Info: 908-852-6669 or plutschristmastreefarm.com.

Ocean County

Picea Acres

Go: 50 South New Prospect Road, Jackson. Hours: The 2019 season runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. until dark on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. Opens at 9 a.m. Nov. 29. Details: The 4-acre farm gives every customer a baby tree to plant at home, with the purchase of a Christmas tree. No credit cards accepted. Wreaths, roping, grave blankets. Well behaved pets welcome. Info: 732-370-8733 or piceaacres.com

Pine Meadow Farm

Go: 24 Buckalew Lane, New Egypt section of Plumsted. Hours: Opens for the 2019 season Nov. 29, and then weekends through Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: Now in its sixth season in business, Pine Meadow offers free hot chocolate, candy canes and coloring books for kids, wagon rides to the Christmas trees. Cut-your-own and pre-cut trees available. Christmas shop, wreaths, grave blankets, decorated sleds for sale. Meet the farm's friendly pigs, Petunia and Charlotte. Cash or check only. Info: On Facebook.

Yuletide Tree Farm

Go: 138 Evergreen Road, New Egypt section of Plumsted. Hours: For 2019, hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, from Nov. 30 through Dec. 23. Details: Look for the inflated Frosty, and you'll know you've arrived at the farm, which has been in business for 35 years. Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir. Info: 732-349-2705 or yuletidefarmnj.com

Passaic County

Bear Swamp Farm

Go: 83 Otterhole Road, West Milford. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Details: Cut-your-own Balsam, Blue Spruce, and Norway Spruce for $50. Pre-cut Douglas Firs from Pennsylvania are $65 to $90. Wreaths, garland, Christmas gift shop. Cash and check only. Info: 973-697-2541 or bearswampfarmnj.com.

Salem County

Stimpson's Tree Farm

Go: 245 Friendship Road, Monroeville section of Upper Pittsvgrove. Hours: Check for updates. Info: On Facebook.

Middletown sisters embrace their special Christmas trees There's a special story behind the Douglas firs dedicated to Hannah and Natalie Gorsegner, ages 11 and 9, at Cedar Hill Farm and Nursery in Middletown

Somerset County

Wolgast Tree Farm and Apiary

Go: 176 Bennetts Lane, Somerset section of Franklin. Hours: For 2019, hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, Nov. 30 through Dec. 15. Details: Austrian Pine, White Pine, Norway Spruce, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir. Also selling wreaths, tree stands, local honey, beeswax and beeswax products, and bluebird boxes handmade from Jersey-grown Douglas Firs. Well behaved, leashed dogs welcome, but patrons are asked to bring a bag to collect waste. Info: 732-873-3206 or wolgasttreefarm.com.

Sussex County

Am-Jac Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 26 Plains Road, Augusta. Hours: Weekdays by appointment. Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and weekends through December. Weekdays by appointment. Details: A five-acre farm selling cut-your-own Christmas trees since 1987. Colorado Blue spruce, White spruce and Norway spruce. Free candy canes and coloring books for children. Cash only. Info: 973-948-4222 or amjactreefarm.com

Hilltop Greens

Go: 25 Statesville Quarry Road, Lafayette. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22. Details: All Douglas firs. Free hot chocolate. No power saws allowed. Info: 973-383-8682 or hilltopgreensnj.com.

Warren County

Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm

Go: 77 Jackson Valley Road, Washington. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Details: No dogs or motorized or chain saws allowed. Info: 908-835-0557 or evergreenvalleychristmastrees.com.

Glenview Farm

Glenview Farm, owned and run by Dan and Colleen Black of the Navesink section of Middletown, was decleared the Reserve Grand Champion of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers at a contest held in August at Middlesex County Fair. The farm's winning entry was a Blue Spruce.

Go: 2 Glenview Lane, Blairstown. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Info: 908-362-6904 or glenviewfarm.com.

Kingfisher Farm

Go: 55-A Primrose Road, Hardwick. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opens Nov. 29, with hours on weekends through Dec. 15. Info: 908-362-9557 or on Facebook.

Season's Greetings! I'm Kelly-Jane Cotter. I can keep you posted on things to do and I'll share stories of some of New Jersey's fascinating people. Read more of my stories below. Follow me @KellyJaneCotter, reach me at kcotter@gannettnj.com, and please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.