Dutchess County Christmas Tree Farms

Date Published: October 29, 2018

Cut-your-own trees are plentiful here! As Christmas approaches, families and friends gather together to make merry, continuing some traditions, and starting new ones. We bake cookies, write cards, and put up lights! Dutchess tree farmers continue their tradition of providing the chance to choose and cut your perfect Christmas tree, the centerpiece of a home during the holidays.

Make sure you get the right one - it's easy with help from the farmer. They'll help you decide what type to select. There are many species of evergreens, some noted for their scent, others the softness or strength of their needles, and many for how long they typically last. Many people keep their tree up until Twelfth Night (January 6). If you pick your favorite size and shape, the tree creates the perfect Christmas atmosphere in your home. What better way to make sure your family has the perfect tree than to choose it yourself?

Tree farms in Dutchess County enable you to do just that. Choose from a variety of trees:

Douglas Fir: lighter green, soft needles and strong fragrance; a long lasting, dense formal tree. Branches may be less strong than other varieties.

Balsam Fir: this traditional tree has a very fragrant scent. Dark green, soft needles are on medium branches that bend easily.

Blue (Colorado) Spruce: distinctive blue foliage and symmetrical form you won't have to trim. If you stand it inside for two days before decorating, the long sharp, needles soften. Very fragrant

Canaan Fir: very similar to Balsam Fir.   

Concolor Fir: longer, soft blue-green needles. Very long lasting with citrus aroma.

Fraser Fir: strong branches retain short, soft, dark green needles well. Enjoy the traditional scent, just a bit less heady than Balsam's!

White Spruce: short green to blue-green needles. Dense, with fair to good needle retention and a pungent aroma.

Once you’ve decided which one suits your household, head out to the fields to pick your perfect tree. Tree farms opened Thanksgiving weekend.

Dutchess County TREE FARMS

Abel's Trees: Balsam and Douglas Firs, and Norway, Blue and White Spruce trees are grown here. See 25 acres of trees of all sizes, and hundreds that are over 10 feet tall! Wagon rides, wreaths, tree stands, free hot chocolate; hot food and fresh baked goods available for purchase. Free baling cutting and loafing trees. Open Sat. & Sun. until Christmas, 9am until dusk. All trees in open fields are $55. Cash or personal check. 435 N. Clove Road, Verbank. 845-677-6395. www.abelstrees.com

(FW) Battenfeld Christmas Tree Farm: A 5th-generation family-owned 100-acre farm, options include Concolor, Blue Spruce, White Pine, and Canaan, Douglas, Balsam and Frasier Firs. Visit the gift shop, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit with Santa, and hear bagpipers on December 1st. Custom wreaths to 6’ in dia., garland, kissing balls. Concession stand and free tree taxi. Daily, 8am-4pm thru mid December. 856 Route 199, Red Hook. 845-758-8018. http://christmastreefarm.us

Big Rock Farms on P&E: Cut-your-own: Balsam Fir, White Pine and Norway Spruce, up to 7 ft. tall. Local, fresh cut, Fraser and Balsam Firs 8 - 9 ft. tall. Special order trees up to 18 ft. (local delivery; will set tree up). Wreathes (decorate your own) and roping, hand-made barn wreathes up to 8 ft. in diameter (they'll put them up and take them down). Refreshments. Call for special orders and prices. Fri 12pm-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am thru 5pm. Visit Rte. 82 Farmstand - large selection of local food products. Mon - Thurs 12-7pm, Friday 10am-9pm and Sat. & Sun. 10am-7pm. 72 Creamery Road, Stanfordville. 845-797-0193.

Bilmar Nurseries: Mostly Fraser Fir, Balsam, Canaan and Concolor Firs, Blue, Norway and White Spruces and White Pine. The freshest precut Fraser, Balsam, snf Concolor (the 2014 New York State Grand Champion) Firs to 14 st. Christmas shop with crafts from local vendors, decorations, and their own farm-made wreathes. Free saws, baling, and twine. Weekends, fire truck or hay wagon rides to fields. Hot & cold refreshments on weekends. Fresh cut trees available. 9am - 4:30pm daily. 26 Bilmar Blvd., Pleasant Valley. 845-635-3206. www.bilmarnurseriesinc.com

BJ’s Christmas Tree Farm: Douglas Fir, White Pine, Pre-cut Fraser Fir. Free Cocoa, Hot cider. Free mechanical tree shaking, baling, tying tree to car, tree drilling for stand straight stands. Christmas tree shoppe, wreaths and decorations made from greens. Weekends only until Christmas 9am-4pm. 14 Evergreen Path, Pleasant Valley. 845-635-1587. www.bjschristmastrees.com

Evergreen Farm: Cash or check only at a family-run farm. Douglas and Fraser Firs, Norway, White & Blue Spruce. Large trees to 12 ft. tall. Saws, tree baling, ‘helpers’, Balsam FIr decorated wreaths, refreshments, cider, candy canes. Fri - Sun. thru Dec.21, 9:30am – 4:30pm. Fresh cut trees available. 407 N. Tower Hill Road, Millbrook. 845-677-3785.  www.christmastreefarm.biz

Fabulous Firs Christmas Tree Farm: Award-winning Fraser Fir, Concolor, and Canaan Firs, White, Colorado, Norway and Serbian Spruces are grown here. Saws, tree baling, their own wreaths. See vintage 1943 New Haven Railroad Caboose that once traveled thru the farm to what's now is the Walkway Over the Hudson. Hayrides on weekends. Cash only; Weekends 9am -4:30pm. Weekdays 12 - 4:30pm. Winner of 4 Blue Ribbons at the 2014 Dutchess County Fair.  683 Van Wagner Road, Poughkeepsie. 845-635-3206.  www.vanscottfarms.com

Hahn Farm: Douglas, Fraser, Canaan and Concolor Firs, White Pine, and Blue Spruce. Wreaths, roping, cemetery crosses and swags. Open to Dec. 21, Mon-Fri 12-4:30pm. Sat. & Sun. 9:30am-4:30pm. Hayrides on weekends. Their own all-natural meats available all week!1697 Salt Point Turnpike, Salt Point. 845-266-3680. www.hahnfarm.com