In 1839, Simon Wyckoff made a significant purchase of 172 acres in what is now Warren County, central New Jersey. Over a century later, in 1958, the fifth and sixth generations of Wyckoffs, who had shifted to dairy farming, took a bold step by planting 1,000 Norway spruce seedlings on a challenging piece of land. Their first harvest came in 1967 when they sold six trees for $5 each. In 1970, they made a decisive move and sold the cows, transforming the family into full-time Christmas tree farmers.

The Legacy of the Wyckoff Christmas Tree Farm

Christmas Tree Farming Timeline

Christmas tree farmers operate on a distinct timeline compared to other growers. As Wyckoff explains, "It's not 'plant them in the spring, harvest them in the fall.' You plant your crop and patiently wait 7 to 10 years down the road for the harvest, depending on the species. It's a long-term investment that requires patience and dedication."Throughout the year, the trees demand constant attention. Whether it's dealing with insects, fungus, mowing, shearing, or the actual planting and harvesting, there is a significant amount of physical labor involved. In January, the Wyckoffs finish shearing and shaping the trees that were left undone in the fall and also perform maintenance on their equipment.April marks the start of tree planting, a time that Wyckoff describes as one of the fun moments. Along with fertilizing and conducting regular field walks to monitor for potential problems, they also practice herbicide banding to prevent weeds from encroaching.As summer arrives, mowing becomes a full-time job. Keeping the trees trimmed helps in the development of lower branches, prevents moisture buildup that could lead to fungus, and allows predators easier access to vermin. Throughout the summer, they continue to shear the trees to maintain their perfect Christmas tree shape.When fall comes, there is another round of herbicide banding, and it's time to get the farm ready for the sale season, which begins the day after Thanksgiving. Then, it's a race against time as they sell trees until they run out.Wyckoff highlights that their most popular trees are Fraser, Canaan, and Douglas firs, which are North American varieties. He has also expanded by adding international seed sources from Turkey, China, and Georgia and is experimenting with hybrid crosses. "It's interesting how they take on different characteristics. It's an evolving business. Back in the day, my father and grandfather planted Scotch pine and Norway spruce, but those aren't where the market is anymore."

Unique Tree Offerings

Customers at Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm have the option to choose a uniquely colored tree. Wyckoff learned about a latex-based paint formulated for Christmas trees at a growers' meeting and, against his family's objections, decided to give it a try. On a Saturday night just before Halloween, he painted a few white and purple trees near the road. The next morning, traffic came to a halt as people took pictures of the colorful trees. "I knew we were onto something, and Monday morning I was on the phone with the supplier to order a batch of different colors. We've been doing it ever since," he says. Some people choose a favorite color, while others match a tree to their favorite sports team. "You give the people what they want," he adds.

Advice for Aspiring Christmas Tree Farmers

Wyckoff often gets asked for advice by those interested in entering the Christmas tree business. His first piece of advice is to learn what you're getting into. He recommends joining a state, regional, or national Christmas tree growers association. "That's the best way to get your feet wet. Go to meetings and learn from those who have been there and done that because it's an evolving business," he says.Another important aspect to be aware of is the lack of feasible crop insurance available to Christmas tree growers, unlike traditional commodities. A single drought can affect multiple years of harvests, and the effects may not be immediately visible on the bottom line. "We typically plant extra trees to hedge our bets a bit. If we have a bad year, we can hold some over from the previous year or get into the next year's trees a bit early. But when you have a couple of bad drought years in a row, it gets tough," he explains.Christmas tree growers also need a critical eye. "My father was very meticulous. He paid attention to detail. You don't get high-yield corn or the best beef without attention to detail. The same goes for Christmas trees. It's about shearing technique, fertilization, and ensuring everything is in perfect order. Our goal is to put out the best product we can. I do my best to keep learning because there's always something new coming," he says.

Christmas at the Wyckoff Home

While the Wyckoff family is immersed in Christmas tree farming throughout the year, especially during the last quarter, they still enjoy decorating their home for the holidays. When asked about the tree he chooses for his house, Wyckoff laughs and says, "Whatever my wife wants." This year, it's a 9½-foot Fraser fir. They try to get the tree close to Thanksgiving to ensure it's up in time. Once they open on Black Friday, they work long hours seven days a week until they run out of trees.In addition to self-serve tree cutting, there are three different tree sales sites on the farm, each with its own crew processing trees. "It's quite an undertaking. I call it 'organized chaos,'" he says.Visitors to Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm come not only for the trees but also for the Christmas Barn retail store. The store carries wreaths, swags, and other items made from tree trimmings, as well as Christmas decorations and gifts from other local farmers.To learn more about the Wyckoff Christmas Tree Farm, visit wyckoffs.com.