New York City Fresh Christmas Trees | Tracy's New York Life

J. G Brands’ Trees atop Macy’s in Herald Square

If you’re like me, there’s nothing better than the fresh, piney scent of a real Christmas tree permeating your New York City abode during the holidays. If you’re one of the countless New Yorkers who insists on having the real deal for the festive season, it’s quite possible that you purchased your tree from a local business supplied by J.G. Brands Christmas Tree Sales, a family-owned wholesale tree outfit founded in 1950 and based in suburban Queens.

While numerous New Yorkers are voyaging to the sandy beaches of the Hamptons and Jersey Shore during the summertime, John Nuzzi and John Nuzzi Jr. –– J.G. Brands’ proprietors –– are busy visiting different merchants in the United States and Canada for the finest Balsam, Fraser, Noble and Douglas Firs for the holiday season.

“Before our selling season begins, my father and I travel to all our vendors around the United States and Canada, some of which we’ve been doing business with for 60 years,” said John Jr., who imports only the finest trees from the plantations of Quebec and Nova Scotia, along with acquiring the
greenest selections from North Carolina and Oregon. “We scout out the upcoming years growing progress on the plantations in the summer in preparation for importing the products in November,” he continued. “Anything we purchase for wholesale has to have our stamp of approval even before it touches the ground of our wholesale yard.”

A third-generation endeavor, the younger Nuzzi family members studied under patriarch Joe Grande, who got his start in the business at an early age. After learning every facet of the business from the ground up, he passed along his vast knowledge to the present owners. John Jr. believes it was this type of dedication that has helped J.G. Brands stand the test of time and continue to stay strong, even in a weakened economy.

“My grandfather Joe started the business at the age of 18. At one point, he operated his own farm in Cookburg, PA in the ’70s,” John Jr. said. “He harvested the trees and sold them in New York. Growing his own plantation made him understand all the different aspects and hurdles that go into raising Christmas trees—from seedling to a harvest-ready product. I believe all the experience in the growing end contributed to our wholesale success and maintaining longevity in the industry.”

Additionally, John Jr. feels matching his patrons with their respective area’s needs has contributed to a high level of customer satisfaction, thus helping J.G. Brands’ business thrive over the years.

Fresh, decorated wreaths from J.G. Brands

“As a wholesaler, part of our responsibility to our customers is guiding them with selling in their particular market,” John Jr. explained. “Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island all have different markets within them. It’s our job to make sure we set up our customers with the right product match in their selling location. I’m proud of the fact we’ve never compromised our product’s quality and it’s always stood at a high standard among our customers.”

Dressed to the tee at Lincoln Center!

This is the case in NYC, for the most part, where a good portion of its dwellers live in small apartments with limited space for a decorative, merry tree. But John Jr. has seen a trend develop over the last 10 years, which seems like the way to go, especially if you enjoy dressing your tree to the tee.

“I’ve noticed that customers with apartments in NYC tend to go for the Balsam and Fraser Fir, primarily in the range of five feet to seven feet. The Fraser Fir has really been a strong selling tree for us, and it’s gained significant popularity in the last decade; this is due to the fact it’s long lasting and holds up great for heavy ornaments.”

A J.G. Brands’ Tree decorated at the FDNY

But you can also find J.G. Brands trees at other well-known locations around the city, such as the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Standing 35-feet tall, this is the first year the theater’s majestic evergreen hails from the New York-based tree wholesaler. Their trees and wreaths were also used in a scene for the upcoming Martin Scorsese film –– The Wannabes –– recently shot in Brooklyn.

So, when you’re out shopping for your Christmas tree this joyous holiday season, think of all the special nurturing the tree has received in its growth and selection before taking a rightful place in your home. But please remember this: Santa’s checking his list and he prefers to leave presents under real trees! P.S. — Don’t forget the cookies and milk.