Our Story

Christmas means something different to everyone. For us, it’s always been about coming together and the magic of small moments shared with those you hold dear. 

We started Highland Tree Farm to offer the same possibility Christmas affords—time together. That’s why we’re on a mission to connect families with the magic of the great outdoors and the local Finger Lakes community. Located on a 200-acre farm in the heart of the Finger Lakes, Highland Tree Farm is the highest point in Yates county and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. We hope you’ll visit the farm to not only find the perfect Christmas tree, but to experience the respite the land has to offer, create fun-filled memories with your loved ones, and enjoy the largest multi-day Finger Lakes Christmas market in our converted horse barn. 

To everyone who hums Christmas music in July. Who decorates the tree before Thanksgiving. Who keeps it up until the end of January, clinging to the spirit of the holiday it embodies for just a few more days…we started Highland Tree Farm for you. Because Christmas is more than a day. It’s more than a season. It’s a way of coming together. And whether it’s in kinship, in friendship, or in community—that simple act is the real magic of the Finger Lakes.

To everyone who hums Christmas music in July. Who decorates the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Who keeps it up until the end of January, clinging to the spirit of the holidays for just a few more days…we started Highland Tree Farm for you.

Highland Tree Farm isn’t just named for the epic views. You might have noticed things around the farm feel a wee bit Scottish. As seventh-generation Scottish immigrants, Scottish holiday traditions are in our blood. DId you know Christmas used to be banned in Scotland?? (Consider this our way of making up for lost time!) Our small herd of Scottish Highland cattle (or “hairy coos” as they’re fondly referred to) are ready to welcome you and your family to the farm and transport you to Western New York’s very own slice of Scotland.  

Our Herd

Sean & Ellie Burke

co-owners

HTF is a veteran and husband &wife-owned family business.

Highland Tree Farm shares a location site with two additional businesses serving the local Finger Lakes community.

Big Mamou Works Branchport New York

John Grabski
Big Mamou Works

Big Mamou Farm Store Branchport New York

Stacey Grabski
The Farm Store

  • Highland Tree Farm shares a location with Big Mamou Works, Big Mamou Kiln & Yards, and The Farm Store at Big Mamou Organic Farm. Currently open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and also by appointment, we encourage you to come visit Big Mamou Works for handmade furniture, and The Farm Store for grass fed and grass-finished pasture-raised meats, eggs, fish, and frozen homestyle meals ready to heat up and enjoy at home.

  • Named in part for the country Cajun song “Big Mamou” by Hank Williams Jr., Big Mamou Farm was founded in 1992 by John and Stacey Grabski. As the story goes, the song came on the radio back in the farm's early days when the land was home to French Limousin cattle. Fun fact, when the French first visited Mamou, Louisiana, they called it Mamou, short for "mammoth." Somehow, Big Mamou just seemed to fit the feeling you get looking out at the view.

  • Depending on the variety of tree, it can take anywhere from 6 to 10 years for a Christmas tree to fully mature and be ready for your home. Highland Tree Farm was started in the spring of 2020 and our trees are still very much pre-teens and not quite ready to help deck your halls. But don’t let that stop you from coming out to enjoy the fun and festivities! In addition to our Finger Lakes Christmas Market, you can select from a variety of pre-cut trees sourced from local Mountain Ash Tree Farm in Avoca, NY.

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