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.
Supply for the 2023 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 substantially 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 a wet 2021 followed by the 2022 draught. We
lost an even larger number of mostly very young trees. We replanted 1000 trees
this spring; but were looking at 2028 or 2029 for those to be ready. Christas
tree farming is not a “get rich quick scheme.”
We have also been planting in a separate nearby field for 7 years now. When mature, possibly as early as 2024 or 2025, some of those trees will be harvested and transported to the main farm to be sold as freshly precut trees. We expect many of those to be in the 8-10 foot range.
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. The supply this year might allow opening for three weekends. But, if planning to come to Crane Hill Tree farm after December 3, 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
New
this year:
This year
we bought a cone and materials for wrapping/netting trees. That should make it
easier to load and unload your tree, especially if you don’t have a pickup
truck. It also makes it easier to get your tree into the house. NETTING OF
TREES WILL BE A FREE SERVICE.
Pricing:
All of our trees are one
price. In 2022 we had different prices for cash/check versus credit. This year
all trees will be one price, $52. We
regret having to raise our price, albeit minimal. We try to keep our trees
affordable for all. But inflation, especially the prices of fuel and
fertilizer, has hit farms harder than many other businesses.
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 SITES
Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association