15 Christmas tree farms around Utica, NY: Guide with map, hours, prices
Those who prefer to have a real Christmas tree know it's all about the experience and creating fun family traditions. In the Mohawk Valley, besides live trees, several farms offer tractor rides, hot cocoa and pictures with Santa.
This year, farms like Shuster Farm in Rome, Hilltop Christmas Tree Farm in Remsen, Czajkowski's Christmas Treeland in Munnsville and Jeff's Lakeside Christmas Tree Farm in Hamilton will be closed for the 2022 season to give trees an extra year to grow.
Others like North Star Orchards, Candella's Farm and Greenhouses and Tibbitts Bros. Farm Stand don't have U-cut trees, and instead offer pre-cut trees, decorations and tons of other holiday items.
If you haven't made the trip to find the perfect Christmas tree yet, here's a breakdown of some local tree farms, hours and more info.
Did we miss any farms? Email reporter Maria M. Silva at mariamsilva@gannett.com and this list will be updated.
1. Massoud's Tree Farm
Located in Sauquoit, Massoud's Tree Farm takes visitors on a tractor ride to cut their own Christmas tree or if you prefer to avoid all the work of carrying a tree, they also have some already-cut trees available for sale. Inside the barn, there is a gift shop where people can purchase decorations, maple syrup, firewood and wreaths. Sometimes, even Santa Claus makes a stop at the farm to greet visitors.
While the farm is open daily, U-cut trees are available on weekends only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you go
Address: 9716 Roberts Road, Sauquoit
Phone: 315-737-5011
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
2. Buttenschon Christmas Tree Farm
The Buttenschon Christmas Tree Farm in Marcy is now open for U-cut trees, which start at $60 up to eight feet. The farm also offers tractor rides to the tree fields, where visitors can pick their favorite among hundreds of trees. Once the trees are cut, another tractor picks them up and brings them to the front of the farm to be loaded onto a car.
The farm also has wreaths available for purchase and accepts Venmo as a form of payment.
If you go
Address: 9663 Luke Road, Marcy
Phone: 315-865-4849
Hours: 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
3. Robertaccio's Christmas Trees and Wreaths
At Robertaccio's, people can cut their own trees or purchase the pre-cut trees that are on display. Trees under 9 feet are $35 and trees over 9 feet are $40 while wreaths cost $18.
The family-owned farm in Marcy is open 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
If you go
Address: 7066 Ives Road, Marcy
Phone: 315-794-8355
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
4. Henderberg's Christmas Tree Farm
The farm is U-pick, but they cut the trees for you and can help loading them up onto the car. Among their selection, there are Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Cannan Fir, Blue Spruce, and White Spruce up to 15 feet tall. For a different Christmas, people also can pick one of their color-enhanced trees, which come in red, turquoise, pink, magenta, light blue and purple non-toxic food-grade colorants that won't come off.
Visitors can go on a wagon ride (weekends only) or take photos with a giant inflatable Rudolph. The farm also sells and offers custom Christmas wreaths.
The farm is open until Christmas although they advise visitors to call ahead as they may close early if supplies are gone. Payment can be made by cash or check only.
If you go
Address: 6579 Henderberg Road S, Rome
Phone: 315-533-6542
Hours: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday (pre-cut trees only), noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
5. Trenton Trees
The farm has Balsam and Fraser fir trees for cut-your-own, which costs $50, while pre-cut trees are $60. Wreaths are sold for $40. The staff at Trenton Trees helps with loading and tying and can provide bow saws or people are welcome to bring their own. This year, look for a new entrance sign, which brings visitors to a much larger parking lot located in the main field.
If you go
Address: 8982 Trenton Falls Prospect Road, Remsen
Phone: 315-404-7972
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Dec. 24
6. Kringle Christmas Tree Farm
The farm has a wide variety of trees available for U-cut or pre-cut, which start at $45 or more depending on the height. Hand-made wreaths are also available as well as other Christmas decorations, gift baskets, honey, syrup, lip balm made from beeswax and soap. Complimentary cocoa, coffee or tea is served throughout the day.
On the weekend of Dec. 17-18, the farm will have horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides for families, weather permitting, owner Jamie Wilbert said. Other activities include photo opportunities at the farm.
Kringle Christmas Tree Farm is open daily from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
If you go
Address: 9298 State Route 46, Westernville
Phone: 315-827-4534
Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
7. Olney's Christmas Trees
Open since the 1950s, Olney's Christmas Trees is now ready for the 2022 season with U-cut or pre-cut Christmas trees for $45. The farm staff helps carry the trees and load them to your car. Other items include wreaths or handmade swags for $15 each. Cash, credit cards and checks are accepted.
If you go
Address: 9010 State Route 46, Westernville
Phone: 315-790-7800
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday
8. Moose Track Acres
The farm is now open for cut-your-own trees on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays while Monday through Thursday will be available on a self-serve basis with a cash box in the parking lot. Trees range from six to 12 feet and are priced at $25. The farm provides bow saws, plastic sleds to pull the trees, bailing twine and a ground cloth to lay on.
If you go
Address: 1735 Holmes Road, Boonville
Phone: 315-527-7682
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday
9. Oram's Country Roads Tree Farm
Near Camden, Oram's Country Roads Tree Farm has U-cut and pre-cut Balsam and Fraser trees for $30 each (or $3 per foot). Customers can also purchase wreaths, kissing balls and other Christmas decorations and enjoy wagon rides on the weekends.
If you go
Address: 9647 Taberg-Florence Road, Taberg
Phone: 315-336-0477
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
10. Romagnoli's Christmas Tree Farm
Romagnoli's farm has a wide variety of fresh-cut trees available, with prices starting at $40. People can also visit the farm's gift shop, which sells wreaths, kissing balls, ornaments and other decorations. The farm accepts cash only although there is an ATM on site.
On weekdays until Christmas, the farm will be open for pre-cut trees and the Christmas shop will be open from noon until 5 p.m. On weekends, choose and cut fields will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. including wagon rides which will start at 10 a.m. From Dec. 19 until Dec. 23, hours will depend based on demand and the farm encourages visitors to call ahead for availability.
If you go
Address: 8498 Oneida Valley Road, Canastota
Phone: 315-697-9498
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
11. Higby Road Tree Farm
The farm opens from 9 a.m. until dusk on weekends and have Fraser and Balsam fir trees. Cost is $45 for any size tree, said owner Ron Cerri, who has been running the Christmas tree farm for 40 years.
There's no tractor ride involved as the farm is 18 acres, but it might be easier for people with mobility difficulties or the elderly to get around and cut their own tree. Sometimes, the Grinch visits the farm so make sure to call them to confirm.
So far, Cerri said it's been busy at the farm, but he's close to retirement age and might close the farm in two years. Another reason is many people turn to artificial trees, which are starting to be very high quality and lifelike Cerri said.
Trees take about 12 years to grow and be ready for sale, Cerri said.
If you go
Address: 1648 Higby Road, Frankfort
Phone: 315-796-5402
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
12. Keith Tree Farm
U-cut trees start at $40 while pre-cut trees are $50. The farm has a wide selection of White Spruce, Norway Spruce and Balsam Fir while Meyer Spruce trees are available pre-cut only.
Keith Tree Farm is open after Thanksgiving and until Christmas.
If you go
Address: 9382 Keith Road, North Brookfield
Phone: 315-228-8296
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday
13. Litchfield Christmas Tree Farm
In Herkimer County, Litchfield Christmas Tree Farm now has cut-your-own trees for $52 and premium pre-cut trees start at $60. The farm will be open on weekends until Dec. 24 and on weekdays, it's open by appointment only by calling the number 315-717-6793.
If you go
Address: 590 Silver St., Ilion
Phone: 315-894-1347
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends until Dec. 24 and weekdays by appointment only
14. Naturewood Knoll Tree Farm
Located near Little Falls, the farm has Balsam and Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce and Canaan Fir available for U-cut and pre-cut, some of them are more than 9 feet tall. Other items available are wreaths, ornaments, toys, stocking stuffers, tree stands, tree wrapping, centerpieces, and other decorations inside their gift shop.
If you go
Address: 2408 State Route 169, Fairfield
Phone: 315-823-1133
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday until Dec. 23
15. Critz Farms
It will be easy to find a Christmas tree among Critz Farm's selection of more than 45,000 trees of Balsam and Fraser Fir and Blue Spruce. The farm provides a saw and visitors can drag it to the path for a tractor to pick it up. All trees are baled and tagged. To pay, people bring half of the tag to the gift shop and pick up their tree.
Cut-your-own trees are $55 for any tree up to 8 feet tall, and $65.00 for trees over 8 feet tall. For pre-cut trees, prices start at $10 for table-top trees and vary depending on the size. Wreaths of all sizes also are available from 20 to 60 inches and can be shipped.
Wagon rides are offered Wednesday through Sunday, but visitors are welcome to walk out to the fields when wagon rides are not available. The farm has its own Critz Café (open on weekends only) and a Tasting Room.
If you go
Address: 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia
Phone: 315-662-3355
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: 15 Christmas tree farms in the Mohawk Valley: Where to cut your own
