Located in Dutchess County, Abel’s Trees is a local institution, drawing families in search of the perfect Christmas tree year after year.
The bounty of the Hudson Valley would be nothing without the farmers who cultivate it. That’s why we’re spotlighting their unique stories in our Meet the Farmer series. We encourage you to discover their histories, explore their products, and, as always, support local.
When Stephen (Steve) Abel talks about his Christmas tree farm, he doesn’t speak about trees—he speaks about people. For nearly four decades, Abel’s Trees in Verbank has been more than a place to purchase a holiday centerpiece. It’s become a gathering point for families, a keeper of traditions, and a living testament to community connections.
A Family Legacy
The 190-acre Dutchess County farm, which has been in Abel’s family since 1850, represents a unique intersection of agriculture and social tradition. Its current incarnation as a Christmas tree destination is a relatively recent chapter in a much longer narrative of agricultural stewardship. The property was originally owned by Abel’s grandfather, but it was Abel’s father who first began the transformation from traditional livestock farming to Christmas tree cultivation in the 1960s, participating in a state reforestation program that would ultimately shape the family’s future.
“I really don’t know if it was a plan or if it just developed,” Abel reflects. His observation is a phrase that could describe both his farming journey and his unexpected career pivot. For 40 years, he balanced his veterinary practice with farm management, gradually reducing his medical work to three days a week in 2000 to devote more time to the farm. Three years ago, he fully retired from veterinary medicine, becoming a full-time tree farmer at an age when many are winding down their professional lives.
The transition wasn’t without challenges. Christmas tree farming requires remarkable patience and long-term vision. “A tree might be sellable at seven years if we’re lucky,” he explains, “but many are 10 or 12 years old.” This means every tree represents a decade-long investment, so the farm must carefully balance supply and demand, planting new trees continuously to ensure a steady inventory for future seasons.
So what drove a successful veterinarian to become a Christmas tree farmer in his later years? For Abel, the answer is simple. “Being part of people’s family tradition is very, very rewarding,” he says. The farm has become a gathering place where families return year after year, with grandchildren now bringing their own children to continue a cherished ritual.
Take the group that’s been returning for 35 consecutive years. Their annual pilgrimage has become a family reunion of sorts, with 10 cars converging on the farm for a day of tailgating and searching for the perfect tree. Some years, like this one, even include a family member traveling from South America to participate. “We’ve had some people tell us that picking out their Christmas tree here is the one tradition that keeps their family connected,” Abel reflects.
The Experience at Abel’s Trees
The farm operates on a choose-and-cut model–for a flat rate of $85, visitors can select and cut their own tree, regardless of size. Customers pay in the sales barn, receive a two-part tag, cut their tree, and then complete the process at a baling station, where employees assist in tying the tree to their vehicle.
Currently, Abel’s Trees offers eight types of fir and spruce trees, with Fraser fir being the most commonly requested. Abel is quick to point out that customer preferences are often more about appearance than specific varietal characteristics. “People will ask for a Fraser fir,” he explains, “and then very often they get something else because they go by the looks of the tree they want.”
But the trees are just one part of the attraction at Abel’s Trees. Abel’s daughter Erin, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, has become something of a local legend. Her freshly baked goods—gingerbread cookies, whoopie pies, and peanut butter bars, to name a few—are so popular that some visitors come more for the treats than the trees. “She maintains that the majority of people are coming to get her food and they just happen to get a tree,” Abel says with a chuckle. Visitors can also enjoy free hot chocolate and browse handmade wreaths and crafts in the farm’s gift shop.
This year, the farm is responding to growing demand and the community’s enthusiasm by committing to being open until at least December 15. It continues to operate primarily with family labor, with Abel’s wife Kim handling mowing and creating additional crafts like handmade soaps and ornaments. During peak weekends, the farm supplements its workforce with a team of local helpers, many of whom have been with the farm for years. “Many of my helpers have been with me for a long time,” Abel says, breaking into a smile. “Curtis has been helping for about 15 years. Now he’s married with kids, but he still makes time to come help on those weekends.”
For families who return year after year, Abel’s Trees has become more than just a seasonal destination. It’s a marker of time, and a place for bringing people together to create holiday memories. “Reuniting with these people—we only see them once a year—but it feels like we know them,” he says.
What began as his father’s reforestation project has become Steve Abel’s life’s work. Abel’s Trees is a living legacy that connects generations and brings a little bit of magic to the holiday season, one carefully tended tree at a time.
Abel’s Trees
435 N Clove Rd, Verbank
