In order to ensure
that sufficient trees are available in 2023 and beyond we will close for the
season after Sunday December 4, 2022. Thank you for your support and a Merry
Christmas to all!
Crane
Hill Tree Farm is a "Choose and Cut" (or we will cut for you)
Christmas Tree Farm on Johnson Hill Road in Washington, Massachusetts in the
beautiful Berkshires. It is owned and operated by the Spencer family.
We
planted our first trees in 1989, opened for business in 1997, and now have
approximately 4500 trees from first year transplants up through a few at 10
feet or more. The primary species is the traditional New England Christmas
tree, the Balsam fir.
2022 COVID-19 Operation
With the somewhat diminished threat from the coronavirus and barring further guidance, we are relaxing restrictions that we had to impose for the 2020 Christmas tree season. Masks will not be required, but will be encouraged indoors (in the Christmas shop). Free hot chocolate will be available; but, to avoid crowded situations, please take it outdoors instead of lingering in the shop while enjoying.
Supply for the 2022 Christmas season:
Crane Hill Tree Farm has enjoyed considerable success in its mission to add the joy of a real tree to the Christmas experience of as many families as possible. After a few years in which sales outpaced the ability of the trees to keep up, we have now fully recovered. We have a reasonable supply of Balsams in the 5 to 8 foot size range.
The fall and
winter weather of 2018/2019 was not very kind to our younger trees. We lost at
least 400 smaller trees. We planted considerably more than usual in 2019 and
2020, replacing most of the dead trees; but those trees won’t be ready until at
least 2026. Then, we also got hit hard by the 2022 draught. We lost a large
number of mostly very young trees. We will be replanting to replace those trees
in the spring of 2023.
We have also been planting in a separate nearby field for 6 years now. When mature, possibly as early as 2025, those trees will be harvested and transported to the main farm to be sold as freshly precut trees.
In recent years, however, our popularity has increased to the point where we have been forced to close after the first two or, at most, three weekends in order to preserve the supply for future years. So, if planning to come to Crane Hill Tree farm after December 4, you might want to call (413) 623-5865 or email craneehilltreefarm@verizon.net ahead.
PICTURES:
Click on any of the following links to view some of our operation.
DIRECTIONS:
We
are just off Route 8 in Washington. (See links to maps below.)
From
the South:
We are about 20 minutes
from Lee or Chester/Huntington.
From
Rte 20 take Rte. 8 North to the village of North
Becket. At the Olde Village Market take a right onto High Street. Follow High
Street up the hill approximately 1 mile. You are now in Washington. Take a left
onto Johnson Hill Road. Crane Hill Tree Farm is on the right (approximately 3/4
mi.).
From
the North:
We are only 20
minutes from Pittsfield or Dalton.
Take
Rte. 8 South through Hinsdale and into Washington. Just past the Washington
Town Park take a left onto Lower Valley Road. Lower Valley Rd. will pass under
the railroad tracks, then will turn hard to the right, and after a little more
than 1 mile will lead to a fork in the road. At that point bear left onto
Johnson Hill Rd. Crane Hill Tree Farm is on the left at the crest of the hill
(approximately 1/3 mi.). If you find yourself on a dirt road, you have taken a
wrong turn.
MAPS :
Click Here for a Detailed Map of the Area Near the Farm
Pricing:
All of our trees are one price. In 2022 with all the inflationary pressure on our costs and hearing from Christmas tree growers across the state, we decided to raise the price to $47 (cash or check, any tree), which is still less than any cut-your-own farms in the area and less than most throughout the state. We expect to hold that price for several years.
We have always accepted payment by cash or check. However, in 2021 we began accepting credit and debit cards. That worked out well; and we intend to continue. In order to cover the processing fees the credit/debit price for any tree is $50.
Hours of Operation:
We are open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting the day after Thanksgiving. Hours are from 9:00 AM to sunset. Although there is no guarantee, we are often also able to accommodate customers on other days by appointment. Call or email in advance if you would like to come during the week.
MAIL:
233 Johnson Hill Road
Washington, MA 01223
USA
E-MAIL: cranehilltreefarm@verizon.net
PHONE: (413) 623–5865
Member Massachusetts
Christmas Tree Association, Registered Tree Farm
LINKS TO OTHER
INTERESTING SIGHTS
