At least 25 million real Christmas trees are sold each year across America, and currently, 350 million are growing in all 50 U.S. states. And despite these unprecedented times, the tree market is still up and running this holiday season. Christmas tree lots and choose-and-cut farms nationwide are taking precautions as the coronavirus pandemic worsens to ensure buyers can take home a tree with minimal risk to their family’s health and safety.

“We highly encourage growers to use these recommendations to develop strategies to protect their workers and customers,” the the National Christmas Tree Association wrote on its website this year, and “wholesale growers should share the recommendations for tree lots with their customers. Having a COVID-19 plan for your business is an imperative.”

In fact, the association has created a new guide with recommendations and best practices for Christmas tree sellers to follow, including frequently sanitizing items and areas such as hand saws, tree cart handles, countertops, door handles and restrooms. An onsite “COVID-19 coordinator” and social-distancing rules are also being encouraged.

If a real Christmas tree is on your holiday wish list in 2020, here is a selection of some of our favorite Christmas tree farms in the Forest Hills area.

• NYC Trees
• Hudson County Christmas Trees
• Gopher Broke Farm
• Tyler’s Trees
• Romp Family Christmas Trees
• Kevin’s Christmas Tree Lot
• Uptown Christmas Trees from Gopher Broke Farm
• NYC Trees
• Tree Riders NYC
• Harlem Christmas Trees

Want to get the most out of your real Christmas tree? It can take some patience, practice and good advice. Here are a few things to remember, courtesy of the National Christmas Tree Association:

• What to know about fake Christmas trees
• Knowing the different types of real Christmas trees
• Tips on selecting a real tree
• Caring for your tree
• Christmas tree safety
• How to recycle your tree

Courtesy of Patch.com