Popular NJ Christmas tree farm sees busiest day ever: 'Beautiful trees'

NEW JERSEY (PIX11)—The line is long at Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm in Washington, but spirits are high.

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

“Christmas tree cutting down is a big tradition in our family. I’m getting goosebumps. It’s my favorite today. And I hope everybody else enjoys it,” Zwier said.

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

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

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

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

Alpaugh said Black Friday has been their farm’s busiest day since opening 16 years ago.

“I think the shorter season between Thanksgiving and Christmas prompted a lot of people to all come out today,” said Alpaugh.

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

“Just a beautiful farm,” said Conturso. “Very picturesque. Great tree selection. It’s a fun experience for the kids to come out and cut down their own tree, get into the spirit of the holidays.”

“It gets you right into the holiday season,” said Dave Mazza of Glen Gardner. “Gets you right into Christmas. Just seeing all the trees, everybody’s happy. Just a good time.”

Luckily, Alpaugh said the current drought in New Jersey has had little impact on her trees.

“They grow in the spring, so since that [the drought] came in the fall, it was after their growing season,” explained Alpaugh. “So it didn’t really affect their growth at all.”