ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (Nov. 3, 2014) – Fields of perfect Christmas trees are waiting to be cut for the holidays in the Hudson Valley’s Orange County. Nine tree farms provide a real old-fashioned experience, with thousands of acres of fragrant trees ready to be cut, gift shops filled to the brim with wreaths and decorations, and a cup of hot chocolate or cider to boost holiday spirits!
“Whether you’re looking for a Balsam Fir, White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, or any other stunningly scented tree, Orange County farms are ready to help with your holiday decorating,” said Susan Hawvermale, Orange County Tourism director. “Visit us for a Christmas adventure and cut down your own beautiful Christmas tree.”
According to the New York State Christmas Tree Association (NYSCTA), it takes eight to ten years to grow a Christmas tree, and for every Christmas tree harvested, a seedling is planted in its place.
An added bonus to selecting a live Christmas tree is its positive environmental impact, according to the NYSCTA. Real Christmas trees are biodegradable and will eventually decompose to provide essential organic matter. After Christmas, trees can be mulched for garden compost, used for a fragrant bonfire, or provide a habitat for wildlife.
To add to the festivities, seven Orange County bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) have created special packages filled with all the sparkle of the season beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving. Holiday treats and special discounts make tree cutting a magical experience when you stay at one of these select B&Bs.
“Stay overnight at one of our charming B&Bs, or make a day out of it,” said Hawvermale. “Bundle up, play Christmas music in the car, choose and cut your tree, then deck your halls! Take a trip, make a memory, and see why Orange County is the best place to visit to get ready for the holiday season.”
Christmas tree farms and special holiday packages can be found by clicking on the banner at the top of Orange County Tourism’s web site: www.OrangeTourism.org. For a free copy of the Orange County Travel Guide, or for a free subscription to our colorful weekly events E-Blasts, contact: tourism@orangecountygov.com, or call 800-762-8687. Like us on Facebook for daily reminders of fun happenings. Orange County Tourism is headquarters for tourism in the county and is part of the I LOVE NY program.
Orange County Christmas tree farms
Emmerich Tree Farm
101 Sleepy Valley Road
Warwick, N.Y. 10990
845-986-0151
www.emmerichtreefarm.com
Farmside Acres
280 Angola Road
Cornwall, N.Y. 12518
845-534-8362
farmsideacres@gmail.com
Fox Ridge Christmas Tree Farm
7 Fox Hill Road
Warwick, N.Y. 10990
845-986-3771
Graney Tree Farm
24 Lang Drive
Pine Bush, N.Y. 12566
845-361-3022
Indigot Creek Tree Farm
Camp Stadie Road
Middletown, N.Y. 10940
914-443-6966
Pine View Farm
575 Jackson Ave
New Windsor, N.Y., 12553
845-564-4111
www.pineviewfarmny.com
Rainy Day Greenhouse
113 Station Road
Campbell Hall, N.Y. 10916
845-656-1942
Facebook: Rainy Day Greenhouse & Nursery
Stone Oak Farm
207 Stony Bar Road
Slate Hill, N.Y. 10973
845-355-4751
Sumner’s Wintergreen Tree Farm
123 Brola Road
Middletown, N.Y. 10940
845-386-2032
Orange Tourism B&B Christmas tree-cutting packages
Special Christmas tree-cutting packages are available at these seven Orange County’s B&Bs. Mention this package when booking to receive the special discounts. Book early to ensure a reservation.
Buck’s Homestead
“Christmas at the Farms”
Montgomery, N.Y.
845-457-3457
jbucksmith@frontiernet.net
www.buckshomestead.com
The large, sunny rooms of this 1830s farmhouse are filled with both charm and antiques.
A complimentary bottle of wine awaits you at this historic lodging, a former dairy farm. Reservations are available weekends of Dec. 6, 13, and 20. After a full country breakfast, head off to the nearby Christmas tree farm to cut a fresh fir for your own home.
Caren House
“Holiday Fun”
Monroe, N.Y.
845-782-0377
carenbb@frontiernet.net
www.carnhousebb.com
A cozy country home located on several acres, the fields are populated with deer and wild turkey.
Every room is decorated for Christmas, and there are two sparkling trees. The two-night package includes a 50 percent discount on the second night. There will be a bottle of wine in your room and a late afternoon snack served in the dining room. Directions to the nearby cut-your-own tree farms will be provided for you to take home a fragrant balsam or spruce.
Cider Mill Inn
“Bring Home an Evergreen”
Pine Island, N.Y.
845-258-3044
347-756-0173 cell
info@cidermillinn.com
www.cidermillinn.com
The Cider Mill Inn will be dressed in full holiday regalia with a wreath on every window, and lights to brighten your spirits. Antique, imported, and handcrafted ornaments throughout the inn grace the doorframes, the mantels, the dining table, and chandeliers. All holiday package guests will receive a box of the inn’s assorted “homemade with love” holiday cookies, a bottle of sparkling apple cider, a handcrafted ornament, free tasting tickets to the Warwick Valley or the Applewood Winery, and a holiday memory. Travel to nearby Emmerich Tree Farm to cut or choose your fresh tree, and receive a handmade ornament from the farm.
Cromwell Manor Inn
“Christmas at our Hudson Valley Farms”
Cornwall, N.Y.
845-534-7136 or 917-971-9908
cmi@cromwellmanorinn.com
www.cromwellmanor.com
Christmas at The Cromwell Manor Inn and Hartmann Farms features tall white columns decorated with beautiful, freshly handmade wreaths. There’s a fragrant 10-foot Christmas tree in the parlor and dining room. The mantles throughout the house, the entrance, and staircase are all dressed for the holidays. Christmas at the Farms will include a 10 percent room discount and a special gift. A box of fudge awaits your arrival from Jones Farm next door where guests will also enjoy doing some Christmas shopping. Wake up to a seasonal breakfast cooked fresh with ingredients from Hartmann Farms chickens and gardens. Less than a mile down the road, you’ll pick the perfect Christmas tree at Farmside Acres where guests receive $10 off a tree. As an added gift, there will also be discounts included from local Cornwall businesses.
Dominion House
“Step Back in Time Christmas”
Blooming Grove, N.Y.
845-496-1826
www.thedominionhouse.com
Step back in time at the 1880 Dominion House, which has all the charm to get into the Christmas spirit. Original antiques, high ceilings, and ornate trim add to the experience. Each room is decorated in a different theme, from Santa Claus to Angels, and more. The Dominion House is family friendly, so start your own tradition in the perfect setting. Three special packages are available for two-night weekend stays. All include a gift of Godiva Chocolates in your room. After a hot country breakfast, directions will be provided to nearby tree farms. After all that tree cutting, a crackling fire awaits you at the B&B where you’ll warm up with hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
Nov. 28/ 29 and Dec. 12/13: The package includes two tickets to Gillinder Glass in Port Jervis for its glass-blowing demonstrations, featuring special guest artists. The demonstrations are on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse their gift shop for that unique Christmas gift. Wake up on Sunday ready to go home and decorate that tree. Enjoy a hot country breakfast before departure. Discount coupons for Woodbury Common Premium Outlets are available for those wanting to get some holiday shopping done.
Dec. 5/6: After breakfast on Sunday morning, shop with discount coupons for Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
Stockbridge Ramsdell House on Hudson
“A Victorian Christmas”
Newburgh, N.Y.
845-562-9310
sbramsdell@gmail.com
www.stockbridgeramsdell.com
Stockbridge Ramsdell is a gracious Victorian B&B located in Newburgh’s beautiful historic district with spectacular views of the Hudson River. Built in 1870, it was originally the family home of Homer Stockbridge Ramsdell, president of the Erie Railroad and a prominent member of Newburgh’s business community. Fully decorated for the holidays with a 12-foot tree, seasonal greens, and lots of sparkling lights, the B&B has seven working fireplaces, two of which are located in guest rooms. This holiday package includes a 30 percent discount on a second night’s stay and a 10 percent discount at our partner restaurants. You’ll be welcomed with a selection of homemade Christmas cookies in your room. After finding the perfect tree to take home, warm up with afternoon wine and cheese in front of the roaring fire in the parlor. Plus, you’ll receive a special gift: a quilted Christmas stocking personally handcrafted by the innkeeper.
Warwick Valley B&B
“Cut Your Own Christmas Tree”
Warwick, N.Y.
845-987-7255
loretta@warwick.net
www.wvbedandbreakfast.com
This beautiful 1900s colonial revival is located in the bucolic village of Warwick, within walking distance to shops, restaurants, historic buildings, nature walks, parks, and more! Spend a memorable afternoon at Emmerich Tree Farm where you’ll receive a handmade ornament courtesy of the farm. Enjoy a fire, complimentary hot chocolate, and cookies while you pick out your Christmas tree. This package includes a two-night weekend stay for two with a full gourmet breakfast each morning, and one dinner for two at either the Landmark Inn, or Trattoria Viviano. Also included is a wine tasting at the Warwick Valley Winery and Orchard, along with a 10 percent discount on any winery purchases made that day.
Christmas tree trivia, courtesy of history.com
- Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
- The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition began in 1933.
- In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White House lawn.
- Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family.
- Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
- Ninety-eight percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
- Seventy-seven million Christmas trees are planted each year.
- On average, more than 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
- Thomas Edison’s assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.
- In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
- The best-selling trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and White Pine.
