November 27, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Christmas tree farm is labor of love for Mark Rohsler The majestic Nordmann fir trees sold at Rohsler’s Nursery in Allendale are not your average Christmas tree. They are Mark Rohsler’s “babies,” tenderly pam- pered by the experienced grower since their planting and available by special order to the height of the customer’s needs up to 16 feet tall Rohsler purchased his Warren County tree farm in 1995 after more than 10 years of looking for the perfect spot. He experi- mented with different varieties and finally settled on the Nordmann and Turkish fir species. “They are the best suited for our cli- mate in New Jersey. Others don’t adapt as well,” he said. And that is not idle talk. Rohsler holds a bachelor’s degree in orna- mental horticulture and a master’s in plant Left: The Rohsler tree farm in Warren County. Right: Mark Rohsler makes final preparations on a tree. soil science, but his love and expertise are needled evergreens. “Conifers are my specialty. I’ve always loved Christmas trees,” says Rohsler of his passion. He said that by growing them him- self he can grow them taller and control the shipping and handling so they don’t end up damaged. He cuts them fresh and brings in a few at the time to the family-owned Allendale nursery, where they are dis- played for sale in a section all their own. (continued on page 12)