Christmas Tree Farm

How Wilbert’s Tree Farm Supports Community Initiatives

admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:59:03 +0000

Wilbert’s Tree Farm isn’t just about growing beautiful Christmas trees—it’s also about growing kindness, compassion, and community. For years, we have partnered with a range of meaningful local and national causes. Wilbert’s is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the years.

Honoring Jack’s Legacy: The Jack Foundation

In memory of Jack James Heiligman, who tragically passed away in October 2016, the Jack Foundation is turning heartbreak into hope. Jack’s boundless love for dinosaurs has inspired the creation of dinosaur-themed playgrounds throughout the Greater Rochester area. These playgrounds aren’t just fun—they’re educational, designed to spark imagination and learning through play.

The first playground, known as Jack’s Place, opened in Rothfuss Park and has become a joyful destination for families. The Jack Foundation continues to raise funds to build more playgrounds in Jack’s name.

Wilbert’s Tree Farm proudly supports the Jack Foundation by matching every donation dollar-for-dollar. For every $1 donated by a customer, Wilbert’s contributes another $1. Additionally, the Tree Farm offers dinosaur-themed ornaments and Acts of Kindness cards in memory of Jack, helping keep his spirit alive while supporting this heartwarming cause.

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Trees for Troops

In partnership with the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx, the Trees for Troops program delivers fresh Christmas trees to military personnel at home and overseas. Since its inception, the program has donated nearly 350,000 trees, helping service members experience a little piece of home during the holidays.

Wilbert’s Tree Farm and its generous customers have been part of this mission for over 11 years. In 2024 alone, community donations helped send 16,629 trees to 93 bases in the U.S. One grateful military family, the Spences, shared their heartfelt thanks, saying: “Thank you for being a blessing to so many military families.”

Empowering Veterans: Wounded Warrior Project

Wilbert’s Tree Farm is also a proud supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, a national nonprofit that serves veterans and service members who have suffered physical or emotional injuries. With a vision to foster “the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history,” the WWP provides a wide range of services, from mental health support to career counseling.
In a show of support, Wilbert’s owners—Pete, Rick, and Ron Wilbert—personally presented a check for $21,000 to Lieutenant Joshua Kuhn on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Encouraging Healthy Habits: Bayview Family YMCA Kids Marathon

Since 2011, Wilbert’s has also supported the Bayview Family YMCA Kids Marathon, an event designed to help kids ages 5 to 12 get active and stay healthy. The marathon is uniquely tailored for children, with a motto that says it all: “26.2 Miles and still Smiling.”
By sponsoring this event, Wilbert’s Tree Farm helps promote physical wellness, positive habits, and community engagement among the next generation.

Whether it’s funding playgrounds, honoring service members, supporting veterans, or encouraging healthy lifestyles for kids, Wilbert’s Tree Farm is deeply rooted in the values of giving and community. Our efforts go far beyond selling trees—we’re planting seeds of hope, joy, and support that grow all year round.

Wilbert’s Tree Farm Donates Christmas Trees to Trees for Troops

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:15:00 +0000

Last week, two members of Wilbert’s Tree Farm management staff helped to deliver over 400 trees that we and surrounding local farms donated to a program called Trees for Troops.

Trees for Troops, a mission of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, provides free, farm-grown Christmas Trees to United States armed forces members in all branches of the military and their families through donations, sponsorships, grants, and the work of many volunteers. Wilbert’s and our customers have proudly participated in this project for over 12 years! Since 2005, over 262,000 free, farm-grown Christmas Trees have been provided to troops and military families. In partnership with the Christmas Spirit Foundation, FedEx delivers these trees to more than 70 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. We are humbled to play a part in such a huge operation with this organization as well as so many other amazing farms. Our goal is to deliver the spirit of Christmas to military families one tree at a time! Visit Christmas Spirit Foundation to learn more or get involved!

Wilbert’s Christmas Tree Farm Participates in Study for the New York Breeding Bird Atlas

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 07:36:00 +0000

The Tree Farm is currently being canvassed for the New York Breeding Bird Atlas that is used to assist the DEC with conservation efforts.

Seasoned bird researcher and previous regional coordinator of the studies, Bob Spahn, says the mix of habitat the Tree Farm offers (fields, ponds, open areas, pine trees, and forests) make it an ideal breeding and nesting ground for many species. One of the most surprising birds he found to inhabit the block of land including the Tree Farm was the Acadian Flycatcher. More commonly, Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, several types of Sparrows, and Mourning Doves were observed. In the provided map, you can see the path Bob travelled to gather his findings outlined in blue. So far this year, 58 species of birds have been seen on the farm alone!

It is important to document these sightings because they contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions, peer-reviewed papers, and projects worldwide that help inform bird research. The breeding patterns of these species are recorded by birders who are almost all volunteers–and you can contribute too!

If interested in participating in studies like this one, visit ebird.com for more information