Founded by John Avery, the Johnstown nursery is currently run by longtime colleague and former farm employee Fred Muhlberger, along with his wife Vicki and son Freddy.
“I wanted to own my own business. Around 1984, about 10 years after I graduated from college, I bought his (Avery’s) sealcoating and paving company,” Fred Muhlberger said. “Even when I wasn’t working on the farm, I helped him with the paving company in the summer and the tree business over Christmas. I bought his tree farm a few years later when John got sick. … He taught me everything there was to know about caring for and growing the trees.”
For decades, Avery’s Tree Farm sold pre-cut trees on the front lot of Harvey’s Pet and Home Heating headquarters in Johnstown. The Muhlbergers continued the tradition of bringing pre-cut trees to the property when they took over the business. However, when they heard the news in the spring that Harvey’s would be closing its doors, the Muhlbergers had to make other arrangements for selling their pre-cut trees.
“We’ve worked side by side with them (Harvey’s) for so many years, so they warned us beforehand that this was going to happen,” Vicki said. “I’m worried that people won’t know they’re closed and that they’ll be looking for our trees after we leave.”
On average, Avery’s Tree Farm plants 5,000 trees per year and sells about 1,100 of them on the main farm and in pre-cut sales.
“We’re looking at space and availability to set up because the way it was set up before went really smoothly,” Fred said. “The (location) that I confirmed could hopefully be like Harvey’s before. I’ve spoken to a few people, but we don’t have any concrete confirmation yet.”
The Mühlbergers hope to announce the new location for purchasing pre-cut trees in the near future.
“The new location should still be close enough to the old location that it won’t make too much of a difference,” Fred said. “We just can’t announce anything until we know for sure where we’re going.”
When Fred purchased Avery’s, the nursery was already a major part of the community. The farm is known for its do-it-yourself tree cutting service at the farm, 495 County Hwy 107, and for its selection of pre-cut trees offered each year. The farm also sells a selection of handmade wreaths and gifts made by Vicki.
“Most of our customers say they come every year,” Vicki said. “People tell me how long they’ve been coming and how it’s become a family tradition for them. … And now we get to see the kids who came every year with their families grow up and bring their own kids to run around the farm.”
A customer who wishes to remain anonymous comes to Avery’s every year with her family from Ballston Spa.
“We make it a tradition to cut down a tree every year,” she said. “It’s just a really friendly atmosphere with great people, a fun and family-friendly environment, wonderful wreaths and excellent trees.”
In order to provide their customers with the best quality, the Muhlbergers attach great importance to the proper care of the trees.
“People rave about my husband’s trees,” Vicki said. “He trims them several times a day to make sure they last and keep their needles, and he takes so much pride in his trees and how he cares for them. That quality is very important to us and our customers.”
As Avery’s Tree Farm prepares for the upcoming holiday season, the Muhlbergers plan to host their fifth open house to keep the farm’s legacy alive. The event begins at noon on November 2 at the farm in Johnstown. The ceremony is open to the public and features family activities, a tag-your-tree service, a food truck and a bonfire.
“We opened it to the public a few years ago so people could come and explore the whole farm,” Vicki said. “People can come and tag a tree, walk around and have fun. We welcome people to bring their own picnic and after that we’re open for our season.”
Avery’s Tree Farm is open every weekend in November through Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the farm is open daily and additional weekends. For more information, visit Avery’s Facebook page at facebook.com/AverysTreesAndGifts.
