KEITH TREE FARM

Hand-Sheared Christmas Trees

VARIETY, EASY CUTTING

VARIETY for your TASTE

WE are UNIQUE in CENTRAL NEW YORK

  1. VARIETY: Our trees do not all look alike. We hand-shear them to create overall symmetry, but each has its own character. We shape them to enhance each tree's natural tendencies - you'll find every combination of tall, short, narrow, wide, open and sparse, densely limbed, steeply tapered, and gently tapered. We prefer a more natural appearance, and our regular customers agree. We do not try to make them all look alike as many big farms do. That would take all the fun out of choosing your own!  If you enjoy "shopping around" instead of just grabbing one off the rack, we offer that experience.
  2. EASY CUTTING: You can cut many of our trees at knee-high, waist-high or higher. We've removed branches to make this easy for you. This is called "Pollard" cutting. You cut at a more comfortable height, and leave living branches on the stump, below your cut. We'll grow a new tree from that stump! We are gradually transitioning to an all-Pollard farm. There are many advantages to this practice, both for you, for us, the trees, and for wildlife. See "POLLARDING" Below, and in the GALLERY! 
  3. GIANTS: In 2024 we have many large trees up to 15 feet or more.  All sheared.  Same price as regular trees! Come and get 'em!  You don't have to take the whole tree. They've all got a bare Pollard "waist", so you can cut the top out. See "GIANTS" below and in the GALLERY. You may shorten a giant to your liking!
  4. SIMPLICITY: We are an an old-fashioned small, Cut-Your Own, no-frills Christmas tree farm. We have no special non-tree items nor bathrooms or other facilities yet, but we may add wreaths, kissing balls, etc. if we get customer interest.
THINGS YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW
  • Open (full service) every Fri. Sat. and Sun. after Thanksgiving through Dec 22. 9 AM-5 PM
  • Before Thanksgiving or for other times: Text or call first! Texting is better! Be brief! We will reply by calling. (315) 228-8296  Full Service is not promised at these times.
  • FREE Tree baling, saws, twine. Fri-Sat-Sun. Giants can't be baled!
  • PRICES: YOU-CUT: $40    Pre-Cuts: $60.   Giants you cut - $40. No giant pre-cuts!
  • Pre-cuts are all fresh: To maintain freshness we limit the pre-cuts to 16 at a time.
  • We are at 1500-1600 feet elevation: expect it to be colder with more snow.
  • We mow almost all weeds and burrs, but wear boots, and rough clothes.
CAUTION!
  • STAY ON PATHS, and stay away from all buildings, machinery, vehicles etc.  OBEY POSTED SIGNS.
  • WANDS and FLAGGING indicate PLACES YOU MUST AVOID:  woodchuck holes, stumps, steep banks, or other hazards. We cannot possibly mark all of them: watch where you're going, and step carefully.
  • PLEASE TRY NOT to step on the hundreds of little seedlings in the rows!
  • ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.  If for any reason you have a problem or limitation with walking in the field and cutting/dragging a tree, bring help, and be sure to come at full-service times, and ask!
  • Do NOT drive vehicles into the lots! 
SEE GALLERY BELOW!


9382 Keith Road,  North Brookfield NY  13418
315 228 8296
SPECIES.  We have experimented with many species. Below are the successful ones.

  • White Spruce: Short needles, strong limbs, pleasant fragrance, color variation.
  • Norway Spruce: Short needles, strong limbs, pleasant fragrance.
  • Balsam Fir: Short needles, flexible limbs, strongest fragrance.
  • Meyer Spruce: Medium-length needles, more prickly, unique color, much like Blue Spruce.

POLLARDING (regrowth from living stumps, after you cut.).

  • Makes it easier and more comfortable for you to cut.
  • Maintains greenery close to ground for small wildlife habitat. Small birds love to nest in the extra-thick growth on pollard stumps.
  • Shades the ground around the stump to minimize weed growth.
  • Grows a new tree several years faster than a planted seedling because the stump's roots are established, and the higher pollard tree gets more sunlight.
  • Saves us time, effort, and fuel that we'd otherwise use in planting and mowing.
  • Provides stump branches that protect the main tree from antler rubbing and Bambi snacking.
  • Allows us to replace each tree in a shorter time.
  • Allows sunlight to feed the stump limbs while allowing the upper tree to ventilate, which reduces fungus and moss growth.
  • Keeps our prices competitive for all the reasons above.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/coppice-farming-grows-christmas-trees-keep-giving-180971068/

https://modernfarmer.com/2022/12/stump-culture-christmas-tree/

WEED, PEST, and DISEASE CONTROL.
Our practices would almost qualify for Certified Organic status. Unlike many big commercial growers, we keep our herbicide use to a minimum - using it only where a weed directly threatens a tree. We do this in spring before flowers come out, so as to protect pollinators. We let milkweeds thrive July -  September to provide sustenance for the Monarch Butterflies. We are now mixing species in the rows to prevent the spread of disease and pests.

SEE PHOTO GALLERIES BELOW.

JEWETT's CHEESE HOUSE

Rare Aged Cheese (up to 28 years) and much more. 10 miles SW. 934 Earlville Road CLOSED Saturdays. OPEN Sundays www.Jewett'sCheeseHouse.com

WATERVILLE STANDARD BAKERY

Superb Croissants, Scones, etc. Very popular in the morning. Opens 9 AM. Get there early. 7 miles North. 128 E Main (Rte 12) Waterville. www.facebook.com › The-Waterville-Standard-Bakery

KRIEMHILD DAIRY FARMS KUPBOARD

Grass-fed Gourmet butter, many other dairy products, meats, deserts, and much more. Local sources. Self-serve at the Kupboard. 14 miles SW from us. 1093 Route 12B, Hamilton Pronounced "cream-hilled" www.kriemhilddairy.com

HEARTHSTONE BAKERY

Excellent artisanal breads and other baked goods. Store in Cazenovia. 30 Miles West. https://www.heartstonebakery.com/

  • 9382 Keith Road, North Brookfield New York, United States