At one Pennsylvania Christmas tree farm, the most memorable helpers have four paws, thick fur, and enough strength to pull a freshly cut tree. Newfoundland dogs arrive with their handlers for a special tradition that turns an ordinary holiday errand into something families remember for years.
I can’t imagine a child forgetting the sight of a giant, fluffy dog hauling a Christmas tree across a field. These are working dogs, and watching them put their strength to use is part of the attraction.
The farm offers more than a chance to choose a tree. Tractor rides, seasonal decorations, a gift shop, and a warm place to gather make the outing feel like a family tradition.
I love how something as simple as picking out a Christmas tree can become a story children will still be telling long after the decorations come down.
Your Tree Might Get A Ride From A Very Fluffy Coworker
Tractor rides are a familiar part of Christmas tree farm visits, but Plow Farms in Mohnton offers an especially memorable sight when Newfoundland dogs arrive to help transport trees.
The New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club has scheduled its 2026 Plow Farms Tree Pull for Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with December 13 reserved as the rain date. During this special event, trained Newfoundland dogs help transport Christmas trees across the farm.
Newfoundlands come from a long line of working dogs. They were bred to pull carts and help fishermen, so tree duty fits them nicely.
These dogs can weigh well over 100 pounds. Even so, they’re famous for their calm, sweet personalities, which makes them great company for curious kids.
The event is officially listed as the 2026 Plow Farms Tree Pull, bringing Newfoundland dogs and their handlers together for a distinctive Christmas tree tradition.
Families hoping to see the Newfoundland dogs should plan around December 12, 2026, and check the organizing club’s event page for weather-related updates or changes.
Bring a camera with plenty of battery life. A giant dog pulling your family’s tree is the kind of photo that ends up on the fridge for years.
Visitors should ask each dog’s handler before approaching or touching an animal, since the dogs may be concentrating on pulling their carts.
Grab A Saw Or Grab A Ready-To-Go Tree, Your Call
Families who love tradition can head straight into the fields. Families short on time can choose from lots of freshly pre-cut trees instead.
That flexibility is a big deal. Not every group has the energy to hike, kneel, and saw in the cold, especially with little kids.
If you go the cut-your-own route, you can saw the tree yourself. You can also ask for help, which is handy if your sawing skills are more enthusiasm than technique.
The pre-cut lots save you the effort without losing the fresh tree smell. Grab one, look it over, and you’re on your way to the cocoa.
A smart move is measuring your ceiling before you leave home. Trees always look smaller outdoors, and nobody wants to trim the top off in the living room.
Wear boots you don’t mind getting muddy. Farm fields in late fall can be soft, snowy, or both on the same afternoon.
Gloves help too. Pine needles and sap aren’t exactly gentle on bare hands.
Whichever way you choose, the goal stays the same. You’ll leave with a real tree and a story about how you picked it.
Hop On A Tractor For The Trip To The Fields
Walking is fine. Riding a tractor out to the Christmas trees is way more fun, and kids tend to agree loudly.
Plow Farms uses tractor rides to carry visitors out to the tree fields. You can also walk if you’d rather stretch your legs and take your time.
The ride adds a little adventure before the real work begins. It also saves tired legs for the trip back, when you might be carrying a tree.
Staff members help with loading too. Crews have been known to zip around on quads to help bring trees back from the fields.
That kind of help matters more than you’d think. A big tree is heavy, awkward, and surprisingly good at poking people in the face.
Dress in layers for the ride. Open-air tractor trips can feel chilly, even on a sunny Pennsylvania afternoon.
Keep little ones close and seated during the ride. Then let them take charge of pointing out favorite trees once you hop off.
Honestly, the tractor might become the part your kids talk about most. Tree, schmee, they rode a tractor.
A Tiny Christmas Village Waits Back Near The Lot
Once the tree is picked, the fun keeps going. Plow Farms has a cozy little Christmas village set up for families to wander.
It includes a gift shop, a house for visiting Santa, a snack and drink hut, and a big fire pit. Everything sits close together, so nobody has to trek far.
The decorations get plenty of love. Festive touches make the whole area feel like a holiday card that you can actually stand inside.
This is a great place to slow down. Families can enjoy the decorated village while arranging to take their Christmas tree home.
Plan extra time for the village. Many families treat the visit as a full outing rather than a quick tree grab.
A good strategy is to do the fields first. Then reward everyone with the village once the hard part is finished.
That order keeps grumbling to a minimum. It’s tough to complain about cold toes when there’s a fire and a snack hut nearby.
Bring a few extra layers for lingering. The village is the kind of place where an hour quietly turns into two.
Santa Keeps A Little Workshop Right On The Farm
Previous holiday seasons have featured a Santa house in the farm’s Christmas village, giving families another festive stop alongside their tree shopping.
Children can stop by to share what they’re hoping for this year. Parents usually grab their phones for photos while the little ones talk.
Visiting Santa on the same trip as picking a tree is wonderfully efficient. You knock out two holiday traditions without driving all over Berks County.
A quick tip helps here. Dress the kids nicely before the fields, or pack a clean sweater for photos after the muddy part.
Shy kids are completely normal. Let them watch other children first, and they might warm up to the big guy.
Write the list down ahead of time if your child gets nervous. A piece of paper can make the chat a lot less scary.
Santa’s visit adds real magic to the day. For younger kids, it might even outshine the tree itself.
Just be ready for follow-up questions on the drive home. Expect plenty about reindeer, elves, and how Santa fits down a chimney.
Leave Room In The Car For The Gift Shop Finds
Trees aren’t the only thing heading home. The Plow Farms gift shop is packed with holiday decor, festive trinkets, and jewelry.
It’s a fun stop for picking up an ornament to mark the year. A new ornament from each visit makes a sweet family keepsake.
The shop also works for early holiday shopping. Teachers, grandparents, and neighbors are all a lot easier to shop for in a room full of Christmas cheer.
Try setting a small budget before going in. Shiny holiday goodies have a sneaky way of filling your arms fast.
Kids can join in too. Let them choose one small decoration for their bedroom or for the new tree.
Shopping after the fire pit is smart timing. Warm fingers make browsing much more relaxing.
Keep the tree loaded before you shop, if possible. That way, your bags have space in the car and nobody juggles needles and ornaments at once.
Think of the shop as the final chapter of the visit. You’ll leave with a tree and a few treasures to hang on it.
Mark Your Calendar For The Day After Thanksgiving
Plow Farms traditionally begins its Christmas tree season around Thanksgiving weekend, but visitors should check the farm’s latest announcement for the exact 2026 opening date.
Showing up earlier in November means a closed gate. The family farm shares its latest hours and updates on social media, so check there first.
Seasonal operating hours may vary, so families should confirm the farm’s current weekday and weekend schedule before making the trip.
Those weekday evening hours are handy after school or work. Weekend mornings are great for families who want a full, relaxed day.
Many families make opening day a tradition. Picking a tree right after Thanksgiving gives you the whole season to enjoy it.
Fresh trees can last a long time with care. Keep the stand full of water and set the tree away from heaters.
Getting the base cut straight helps the tree stand tall at home. Ask staff if you’re unsure about your trunk before leaving.
A little planning goes a long way here. Know the dates, pick your hours, and the rest is pure holiday fun.
Set Your GPS For A Quick Trip South Of Reading
Getting there is easy. You’ll find Plow Farms at 4410 Morgantown Rd, Mohnton, PA 19540, in Berks County.
The farm sits south of Reading along Morgantown Road. That location makes it a manageable drive for many families in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Plow Farms is a family-run business. That family feel comes through in the warm, helpful way the place runs during the busy season.
Crew members help families load trees onto their cars. Bring rope or straps anyway, just in case your roof rack needs backup.
A blanket or old sheet protects your car from sap and needles. Your future self will thank you during the spring cleanup.
Plan to bring the whole crew. With dogs, tractors, Santa, and a fire pit, there’s something here for every age.
Watch the farm’s social media for Newfoundland visit dates. Those days add a big dose of fluff to an already festive trip.
This Pennsylvania farm turns tree shopping into a real holiday memory. Come for the evergreen, and stay for the giant dogs with very important jobs.
