Pine’n Fir You – We’ve Got Your Christmas Tree

Have you always wanted to pick out your own Christmas tree and cut it down right then and there? Me too.

Then, I invariably get distracted by the December lists that multiply all around me. And it’s too late. This year, as a public service, South Coast Almanac is preparing a list to make it as easy as possible to realize your dream. A shout out to Marion’s Eileen Lonergan whose smart idea this was (feel free to email us at [email protected] with your smart ideas for future blog posts).

And remember, this is not just a way to capture the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas. You’re also supporting local farmers, a very current goal. Just think about the care these farmers took: ten (or more) years ago, they planted tiny little things. They cared for and nurtured them until this point in time. For you. It’s actually pretty special.

So, here you go. Here’s the first list we’ve made in December. Even if you’re not ready to bring your tree home yet, you can go and tag it at most of these places. We put the phone numbers in — we recommend you call them before you go to make sure they still have trees!

Pine Crest Tree Farm, 294 Pine Hill Road, Westport. Remember when Clark Griswold took his family out to the woods to pick out their tree in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? The kids were not happy. The Griswolds should have gone to Pine Crest Tree Farm where finding a tree is a fun event for the whole family: a treasure hunt for the kids, hot chocolate and cookies and family pictures in front of the sleigh. Open on weekends, 10-4, closed by December 20. (774) 309-0522.

Keith’s Farm & Orchard, 429 Main Street, Acushnet. When I called Keith’s Farm to confirm their information, Sue Santos said, “Oh, yeah. We’re in the same place. It takes a long time to grow these trees!” She and her husband Keith have been growing Christmas trees since the early 1980s. They offer families a hayride around the property so they can find their perfect trees. You can cut it yourself or have one of their attendants cut it for you (but note that if you cut it yourself, it’s by handsaw only). Open weekends through December 18 from 10-4 (except on December 18 when they close at noon).  (508) 763-2622

Bristlecone Farm, 779 Sodom Road, Westport. A local favorite since 1974 when the Farias family started planting Christmas trees. Tag a tree and come back for it, or do it all on the same day (though they don’t recommend you take a tree home too early in the month). You pick it out, the crew cuts and wraps it. Open 7 days a week, 9-4. (508) 636-2552.

Mockingbird Hill Trees, 147 Rhode Island Road (Rte. 79), Lakeville.  The Simmons family has been raising Christmas trees since 1975; Margo Simmons knows adult customers who first came as babies with their families. Mockingbird Hill offers a wagon ride to the fields to look at the trees and, on weekends, they have coffee, hot chocolate and sometimes Santa (he’ll be there 10-3 the first two weekends in December). They’ll cut your tree or you can cut it yourself with a handsaw. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10-4. (508) 947-6712.

Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm, 4191 Main Road, Tiverton. This is a picture perfect Christmas tree farm. Just take a look at our featured photo above (courtesy of Elizabeth Gerardi whom you can find at New England Belle). After picking your tree, enjoy hot cider and treats in an old post and beam barn. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 10-4, until they sell out. (401) 624-4119.

Patchet Brook Tree Farm, 4484 Main Road, Tiverton. The farm has been in Jean Bento’s family since 1905. Originally a vegetable farm with animals, Jean planted the first Christmas tree over 30 years ago. Now, they have about 15 acres of Christmas trees in all kinds of varieties. They do it all. You get a short hayride into the fields to pick out your tree. They’ll cut it down (or help you cut it down), wrap it, put it on your car and tie it off. “We’re a full service gas station,” Jay Bento jokes. A small shop has hot chocolate and cookies with some honey, candles, and maple syrup for sale. Open weekdays from noon-4, weekends from 10-4. (401) 624-4872. (Hayrides are only provided on the weekends.)

Boughs & Berry Farm, 255 Peckham Road, Little Compton. This farm has been in Elinor Gavin’s family her whole life. Her father and grandfather farmed the land. In 1982, she and her husband Donald planted Christmas trees. Regulars have been coming ever since. Kids love the Charlie Brown Christmas tree hidden away. If they find it, they get a lollipop. Open Fridays through Sundays, 9-4. (401) 635-8582.

Don’t forget the wreaths!

Stay tuned — tomorrow we’ll reveal some special South Coast wreaths.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

And as a treat for reading all the way through, here’s that scene from Christmas Vacation when the Griswolds go out to find their tree in the forest. (“Clark, Audrey’s frozen from the waist down.”) Head to one of our South Coast Christmas tree farms and we promise that you’ll have more fun than the Griswolds.

Happy December!

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