About Us
Craftsmen Farms Nursery
The Great Architect of the Universe’s ever watchful care is nowhere more impressively taught than by His voice speaking to us through the floral kingdom. Over the whole earth where life exists, flowers bloom in endless variety and profusion; there is no place so obscure but that they blossom there and give to the world their beauty and fragrance. Some open with the rising sun and close with his setting rays. Others open to the full moon and starry firmament and shrink before the piercing gaze of the king of day. Do not deny the visitors to your homes or yourselves a piece of that beauty that the poet Laureate Robert Morris wrote about.
George, our (plant whisperer) grew up on an apple, cherry, and peach orchard, understands fruit trees better than anyone we have ever met. Grafting his first graft at 8 years old, George has 40 plus years on knowledge of plant, and fruit growing in our climate zone. Need a plant identified? He has an app for that! He can tell you from a glance when a full sun plant or shrub is in too much shade, or the opposite. Do you have a Rhododendron, or a Mountain Laurel that is not flourishing? George can tell you why. He knows about soil ph, water, and sun, and which plant foods to give them to make them thrive.
We have access through our relationships to a very exclusive selection of plants and shrubs not normally accessible to the public. Our growers grow for exclusive clients such as exclusive executive gardens, amusement parks, college campuses, and government buildings.
At one of our growers, in a huge exclusive greenhouse tucked in the back, is 50 years of source growth plants healthy and lush. It is lovingly called “The Jungle Room”. Here clippings are taken from these each early spring, bred and cross bred into some of the most stunning flowering plants that you would normally have to pay an admission price to see.
Apple Trees
Another relationship we have specializes in heirloom apple trees. Remember when you were growing up and a certain type of apple was your favorite? And these apples cannot be found in the supermarket and longer. We have access to Stamin, Baldwin, Wolf River, (Sometimes called a pie apple because they are so large an apple makes a whole pie), all varieties of Delicious, Gala, Rome, Granny Smith, Macintosh Courtland, Winesap, and many others. You may be interested in knowing that nearby these needs to be a like tree that can be cross pollinated in order to bear fruit, so a customer should put in 2-3 trees instead of just one.
Arborvitae
A lot of people like the green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreen—shooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter.
This is an exceptional landscape tree for use as a screen, hedge, or single specimen. It is also resistant to wind once established and can withstand heavy ice or snow, making it a good choice for a natural windbreak. We can provide them for your property and tell you how to condition the soil to grow them properly.
Japanese Maple
Trees have one thing in common, generally (Except in the fall) they are green, and some people want a mix of color in their yard, so in our area (Zone 6a) a great go to is the Japanese Maple. Graceful and elegant, Japanese maples are an excellent addition to most gardens. Essentially carefree once established, they offer year-round interest with their ever-changing beauty. From the sculpture of bare winter branches to the flush of spring leaves in colors from red to pink to green, followed by lush summer growth, and finally, a big finish in the fall, they’re one of the most compelling plants you can add to your landscape. But did you know they cone in may colors other than red? With a range of foliage colors–red, green, orange, purple, white, and pink depending on the season–Japanese maples are among the most colorful of trees. Some leaf out in brilliant reds in spring, change to green by summer, and finish the fall in yellows and oranges. Others start red and stay red till autumn. Do you want a sequence of changing color from spring to fall or do you just really love rich, dramatic red throughout the seasons?
Boxwoods
One of the most versatile shrubs, boxwoods bring year-round color to the garden. Their evergreen foliage brightens dreary winter landscapes, provides structure to both formal and informal gardens, and can be shaped into tightly clipped geometric forms or whimsical shapes. Natural size, shape, growth rate and hardiness vary between the many types of boxwood shrubs and these characteristics should be taken into consideration when choosing the right one for the job. Some are rounded, some low growing and spreading, some upright and some more conical in shape. Their ability to bounce back and withstand regular clipping and shearing makes them perfect for hedges and topiaries.
These are only some of the trees and shrubs and trees we can deliver to you. For more information please reach out to us and we can schedule a personal visit to look over your hopes dreams and plans.
About George T. Mason
George T. Mason is an executive, entrepreneur, educator, community leader, and nonprofit volunteer with more than four decades of experience in technology, operations, audio-visual production, business management, and organizational development.
His professional career began with Bellcore, where he worked from 1989 to 1995 designing, constructing, and operating conference rooms, press briefing rooms, auditoriums, and distributed-auditorium systems. During this time, he developed expertise as an audio engineer and was frequently assigned to public television projects, including work associated with Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. He also contributed to multimedia slide shows, television programs, and commercials, serving in roles ranging from producer to grip and gaffer.
From 1996 to 2003, he owned and operated A Second Byte Computers, a chain of retail computer stores providing professional computer sales, service, and network support. His expertise led to invitations to serve as a subject-matter expert and adjunct faculty member for County College of Morris, East Stroudsburg University, Monroe County Technical Institute, and The Alliance, the educational arm of the seven regional Bell operating companies.
From 2003 to 2008, he served as an advisor to the management of Office Director, following that company’s acquisition of A Second Byte Computers. In 2008, he joined ADT as Vice President of Information Technology and was promoted in 2011 to Vice President of Operations. He continued in that role until retiring in 2021.
Since 2021, he has served as CEO of Craftsmen Farms, a landscaping and materials-trucking company; George T. Mason Audio Visual Video, an audio-visual and video-production company; and Save My Non Profit, a consulting firm focused on helping nonprofit organizations develop, strengthen, and grow.
His nonprofit and community service has been extensive. From 1983 to 1986, he worked in both administrative and financial capacities for The New Jersey Foundation for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) organization providing practical education and support to blind residents of New Jersey.
He has been involved with DeMolay since 1980, first as a participant and later as an adult leader. He served as Master Councilor of his chapter six times and served as Chapter Dad of Kenneth E. Hendrickson Chapter from 1988 through 2022.
Since 2000, he has been a member and Secretary of the Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to firearms safety, responsible participation, and fellowship.
A Freemason since 1988, he has served as Worshipful Master of two lodges five times and as acting Worshipful Master for an additional year. He has also been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in New York and New Jersey since 1989, serving sixteen times as Worthy Patron and holding office in the state officer line as a Past Grand Officer.
Since 2022, he has served on the Board of Directors of the NJOES Charity Foundation. He is also a member of Wooddale United Methodist Church and is currently enrolled in Methodist seminary studies.
In 2024 George wrote the book Expectation VS. Reality: Non-Profit Edition a guide to fundraising, and soon to be released, his second book Save My Non-Profit! A guide to rebuilding building membership.
His experience reflects a combination of executive leadership, technical expertise, entrepreneurship, nonprofit service, education, production management, and long-term community commitment.