Popular New Jersey Christmas Tree Farm Experiences Busiest Day: ‘Beautiful Trees’

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – The line at Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm in Washington is long, but the mood is good.

“It’s the most wonderful day of the year,” said Jeff Zwier of Mount Olive.

“Cutting down Christmas trees is a big tradition in our family. I get goosebumps. It’s my favorite today. And I hope everyone else enjoys it,” Zwier said.

The Zwier family was one of many who jumped on a tractor at Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm to find the perfect tree.

“We’ve been coming here for 7, 8, 9 years now,” Zwier said. “Beautiful trees. Never a bad tree.”

Owner Sara Alpaugh drives the tractor and drops off customers at various locations throughout her 144 acres of trees.

“This is preserved farmland,” Alpaugh said. “We have eight different types of trees.”

Alpaugh said Black Friday was her farm’s busiest day since it opened 16 years ago.

“I think the shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has caused a lot of people to all get out today,” Alpaugh said.

“This is the longest line I’ve ever seen in the last five years I’ve been here,” said Frank Conturso of Nutley, who was waiting online to pay for his tree.

“Just a beautiful farm,” Conturso said. “Very picturesque. Great selection of trees. It’s a great experience for the children to cut down their own tree and get into the Christmas spirit.”

“It brings you right into the holiday season,” said Dave Mazza of Glen Gardner. “Take you straight to Christmas. Everyone is happy just by looking at the many trees. Just a good time.”

Fortunately, Alpaugh said New Jersey’s current drought has had little impact on her trees.

“They grow in the spring, and since the drought came in the fall, it was after their growing season,” Alpaugh explained. “So it had no impact on their growth at all.”