Ever wondered how long it takes for a Christmas tree to go from a tiny seedling to the star of your holiday celebrations? Imagine this: You’re snuggled up by the fire and admiring that perfectly ...

SO, TROY, HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GROWING YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE IN YOUR YARD? NO, I CAN’T SAY, BUT IT CAN ACTUALLY BE A GREAT LONG TERME PROJECT FOR YOUR FAMILY. YEAH, I MIGHT GET STARTED NOW.

“Farmers are the biggest gamblers there are,” Mr. Wyckoff, 57, said. His family has been growing Christmas trees in Belvidere, N.J., about a 90-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan, since his ...