Pining for a real tree?

Lots of choices with farms in Upper Township, Boy Scout sales, area garden stores

Black Friday was not only the kickoff to the holiday shopping season but also the start of Christmas tree sales at farms and shops throughout the region.

Tree farms, nurseries, a hardware store, church and even a Boy Scout troop are offering an opportunity to find the perfect centerpiece for this season’s holiday décor.

While the options on the mainland are plentiful, Ocean City is like a tree desert.

Mia’s Christmas Gallery on Asbury Avenue has artificial trees up to 3 feet, as does Wallace Hardware across the street, but that seems like the extent of sales on the island. 

However, one need only cross one of the four bridges off the island to find both precut and tag-and-cut trees to fit every home and budget.

Tree farms

Janet Yunghans, who operates Littleworth Tree Farm at 1957 Tuckahoe Road in Upper Township with husband Karl, said they’ve been growing and selling Christmas trees for more than a quarter-century.

“It is very joyous seeing the families,” she said. “Some have been with us since the beginning and now we’re seeing second generations.”

They farm about 10 acres where they grow 6,000 trees, selling about 300 each season in a variety of blue and Norway spruce, Douglas and Canaan fir and others.

Yunghans said families stop by the farm, walk through the stands of trees — breathing in the fresh air and aromatic pine scent — while picking out and tagging their favorite. While that took place the weekend of Nov. 19-20, they purchase about 150 precut trees to sell over Thanksgiving weekend.

“We usually are sold out the first weekend and wanted something to offer the public,” she said, noting they buy only the best quality “because we want it to match what we grow.”

The trees are cut, baled and secured atop the buyer’s vehicle and off they go.

“We do everything they need,” Yunghans said.

In addition, Littleworth Tree Farm sells hand-made fresh green wreaths, decorations and grave blankets.

Yunghans said she makes a couple of hundred wreaths each season, many custom tailored to order.

They initiated a reservation system during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, because they could not have hundreds of people at the farm at once — “everyone comes at 9 a.m.” Now they cater to 20 families per hour, making the event much more manageable, safer and pleasant.

“It worked so well to keep everybody safer and people can relax and take their time,” Yunghans said.

The couple works hard but feel that it’s part of their holiday experience.

“We’re very attached to our customers and they are to us. They are friends we look forward to seeing every year,” Yunghans said.

Also in Upper Township, Curtis Corson, owner of Plantation Campground and a 30-acre farm at 3065 Route 9 where he grows beach plums, gourds, corn and other crops, has reserved almost 3 acres for Christmas trees, mostly Norway spruce and white pine.

The township mayor, who is the third generation of his family to farm the land, said he started growing the trees in 1998.

He said he sells about 120 trees each season, usually starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

“We stay busy,” he said, noting the trees are just another of his diverse crops.

Corson said the hot, dry summer was rough on trees, including a row of 5-year-olds that were looking parched. He said he plants 300 to 400 new trees each year, noting he must balance the number he sells with the number he plants to maintain a steady supply.

Like the Yunghans, Corson lets customers choose their tree. He will cut it and bale it and even deliver if desired, as far away as Sea Isle City and Ocean City.

“It is a lot of fun,” he said, noting the dynamics of people searching for a tree are quite interesting.

“They’re all looking for the perfect Christmas tree,” he said.

Corson said he is busiest the second weekend in December, when he will sell about a quarter of his inventory.

Precut trees

While the island has nary a Christmas tree for sale, the mainland communities of Somers Point, Linwood and Northfield could be called downright “fir-ry.”

Paul Giunta said Shore True Value Hardware at 515 New Road has been selling trees since the 1980s.

“We are expecting delivery Nov. 22,” he said. “Black Friday is when all the fun starts.”

Shore Hardware sets up a display in its parking lot, where customers can choose from Fraser firs as short as 4 feet and as tall as 9 feet or so. 

Most are between 7 and 9 feet, Giunta said, noting he has been buying from the same farmer for the past 20 years.

“I have had very few people ever tell me their tree died or dropped needles,” he said.

The longtime family-owned and -operated business also sells artificial trees ranging in price from $50 to $400, interior and exterior holiday décor, inflatables, lighting, wreaths, garlands and accessories.

McNaughton’s Garden Center at 331 New Road also sells real and artificial trees.

Manager Dave Snyder said the balsams were set to arrive last Friday and the Fraser and Douglas firs later. The garden center sells artificial trees from 2 feet to 12 feet ranging in price from $30 to $1,000.

McNaughton’s also carries garland, lights, ornaments, nutcrackers, blow molds, inflatables, interior and exterior décor … “anything you need for Christmas,” Snyder said, noting that other than spring, Christmas is their busiest time of year.

In addition to its trees and other Christmas accessories, McNaughton’s hosts the Cape Atlantic Railroad Club, which has model trains running 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, when visitors can enjoy free candy canes.

Specializing in flocked trees, which interior designers say are a hot trend this year, Ronnie’s Garden Center at 1520 New Road in Northfield starts selling cut trees before Black Friday.

Tina, daughter of owner Ronnie Rodio, said they have sold flocked trees since the nursery opened.

She said they are sprayed with a white substance that resembles snow. It seals in the sap and helps the trees retain their moisture and live longer in the stand provided with them.

“We pick the prettiest of the trees with the best shape,” she said. “We have people who come from Delaware to get them.”

They flock trees from 5 feet up to 9 feet or taller, she said.

Fundraisers

In Northfield, Boy Scout Troop 72 with assistance from Troop 452 of Mays Landing is selling Christmas trees beginning Nov. 25 at the firehouse on Burton Avenue. Hours are 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.

Longtime troop leader Don Edwards said the troop, which folded last year due to lack of membership, started selling Christmas trees in 1957 and now is in its 65th year.

The troop buys 250 trees each year, ranging from 6- to 10-foot Douglas and Fraser firs. Last year they were priced at $60 but Edwards said they do not know the cost until they arrive at the farm to buy them.

Edwards said they sold all 250 last year in the first three days.

He said proceeds from the sale will benefit Troop 452 and allow for the sale next season.

In Linwood, the youth group at Our Lady of Sorrows Church at Poplar and Wabash avenues sells precut trees as a fundraiser. 

Organizer George MacDonald said they stock 400 Douglas fir trees ranging from 5 to 10 feet tall. 

“All of the proceeds go to local Catholic charities and Our Lady of Sorrows,” he said.

Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends.

Events

While you can find 6- to 7-foot Fraser firs at Lang’s Garden Center in Linwood, George Lang said the Route 9 business specializes in live and artificial wreaths, cedar boxes, garland and fresh greens, such as holly and spruce for decorating.

The business also specializes in experiential gifts, holding multiple workshops in which customers can learn to make their own holiday-themed items.

Schedule:

— In the Garden with Santa Claus: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10

The public is invited to the grounds where they will have the opportunity to get Christmas portraits ($10), purchase baked goods by Aunt Cookie’s Bakery and sip complimentary hot chocolate. Well-behaved pets are welcome.

— Wreath Workshop: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6

In-house designer Krista Walker will lead students through a make and take workshop in which participants will learn how to create a 20-inch holiday wreath with greens, floral picks, pine ones and more. All materials are provided. Space is limited. Participants are urged to dress for cold weather since the workshop is held outside. Cost is $75.

By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff