Holiday traditions continue at Paul’s Christmas Tree Farm

If a warm and cozy wood-burning stove, a cup of hot chocolate, some popcorn treats and a charming array of seasonal décor and gifts sound like an appealing way to set the holiday mood, look no further than Paul’s Christmas Tree Farm on Frowein Road in Center Moriches.

Continuing a tradition started 25 years ago by Tom Muller in Manorville, Paul Vigliotta, his wife Sue and their son, Paul, strive to bring their passion for family, farming, and festivity to the Moriches community.

A third-generation farmer, Vigliotta grew up helping out on the family duck farm started by his grandfather after he arrived here at 17. That enterprise eventually included four farms at its height.

Paul soon discovered that his experience there gave him opportunities and business experience.  His after-school job cutting grass eventually grew into a thriving landscaping business that now occupies a 5-acre site where he manages both landscaping and holiday services.

“We started the landscape business here in 1999 with Arborvitae,” he said. “The Christmas trees were an easy add-on.”

Two moments of serendipity brought home the idea of expanding from landscaping into holiday tree sales.

“Not long after I noticed the heavy volume of traffic that was making visits to North Fork tree farms difficult, I heard that Muller’s farm was winding down its holiday tree business.  I called right away,” he added. “The next spring, we bought and transplanted 1700 of Muller’s trees, roughly 50 percent of his nursery stock.  Since it can take 10-plus years to grow a 7-foot tree, we also started a new field of young trees to ready our own supply. And, over time, we’ve noticed that people enjoy having a shorter trip. People like it that we’re a local business.”

The farm also sells pre-cut trees like Fraser and balsam firs that come from Canada since they need colder conditions to grow.  There are also plenty of blue and Norway spruce trees on site available to choose and cut.

The average size is a 6-foot tree, but they also have customers who prefer trees that are 12 to 15 feet.  Then there are tabletops, as well as live trees that they dig out for planting after the holiday

A man who still cherishes boyhood memories of farm life, Paul Vigliotta recognizes the importance of our connection to the land and the value in family traditions. Today, as his son runs the tree sales and his wife welcomes visitors into her cozy shop, it’s easy to see why this is a popular stop during the holidays: the Vigliottas know how to make the season merry and bright.