Among tree-trimming families in Rhode Island, there are four groups: those who want to hack down their own tree in a bucolic setting, those who want a tree strapped to the top of their car as efficiently as possible; those who advocate reusing an artificial tree year after year; and those who are just as happy decorating a large rosemary plant and avoiding the whole tree massacre/misuse of land issue. If you see yourself as a member of groups one or two, here is some information to help you find the right tree for your home. (Please note that calling ahead to check on the hours is always a good idea. Prices are not listed here but the range was between $30-$60, depending on the size and variety of tree):
TREE FARMS
Friends gently pointed out to me several times that I really ought to have tagged my family’s tree by now. If you need your tree “just so,” you have, no doubt, already taken care of the tagging. Happily, for those of us who do not mind Charlie Brown style trees, this is not an issue.
Patchet Brook Farm – 4484 Main Road, Tiverton.
Captures all the magic of “over the trees and into the woods” and satisfies the hunter-gatherer instinct in us city folk.
Phone: 401-624-4872
Open everyday, 10 am – 4 pm
Web: www.patchetbrook.com
Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm – 4191 Main Road, Tiverton.
Trees cut by friendly, strapping farmers will be wrapped and secured to your car. You can warm up with cider or cocoa in the small ornament shop.
Phone: 401-624-4119
Open 9 am – 4 pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Maciel’s Little Compton Tree Farm – 100 Maple Avenue, Little Compton.
Lots of trees but also a very cozy barn with cookies and cocoa and even photos taken with Santa!
Phone: 401-635-2097
Open weekends only, 9 am – 4 pm.
Boland’s Tree Farm – 97 South Lake Road, Tiverton.
Beautiful trees as well as cute animals and a wagon ride.
Phone: 401-625-5107
Open Fridays 1 pm – dark, weekends 10 am – dark
Pleasant Street Christmas Tree Farm – 187 Pleasant Street, Rehoboth, MA. They take you on a hayride out to the trees.
Phone: 508-252-6206
Open Monday-Thursday 12 pm – 4pm and Friday-Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
Web: www.pleasantstchristmastreefarm.com/contact.htm
Greene Tree Farm -124 Hall Road, Greene.
Free apple cider, a big ol’ pig in a pen to see, and maple syrup to buy as well (they tap their own trees and make it on premises).
Phone: 401-397-7102
Open weekends only, 10 am – 4pm
Big John Leyden’s – 179 Plain Meeting House Road, West Greenwich.
Apparently there is a Bob Leyden’s Christmas Tree Farm on the same road. It’s probably lovely too but it’s not the place people kept mentioning to me.
Phone: 401-821-8519.
Open 7 Days a week, 9 am – 4 pm
Web: www.bigjohnleydens.com
Comprehensive farm lists available at:
– FarmFresh.org – (website)
– RIChristmasTrees.com – (website)
– PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org – (website)
These sites include tips on recycling your tree and how to choose a tree. For a chart of every Christmas tree farm registered in RI, visit the Department of Environmental Management’s Christmas Tree website.
TREES PRECUT
Precut trees are everywhere we go, even gas stations. But are they any good? Who knows. Here are some that come recommended by the Kidoinfo community.
Cub Scout Pack 88 (Boys from the East Side of Providence)
Annual Christmas Tree Sale
Friday, Dec. 7, 5-9; Saturday Dec. 8, 10-6; Sunday Dec. 9, 11:30 – 5:30
Location: Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, Providence.
Trees and wreaths for sale by your neighborhood cub scouts. There is no phone number, but more information can be gleaned from Chris Sanzo at christopher_sanzo@ti.com
Briggs Nursery – 295 Kelley Boulevard, North Attleboro.
There are electric trains for the kids to check out and a kid-sized wooden train to climb on. Trees are displayed each on its own stand so you can really see what you’re getting. They also sell artificial trees and ornaments. The staff is very helpful and organized when getting your tree on your car.
December 8 & 9: Special Event – Santa, cocoa, cookies, and Victorian singers.
Phone: 508-699-7421
Open daily, 8 am – 8 pm, Sunday, 8 am – 7 pm
Web: www.briggsgarden.com
Four Town Farm – 90 George Street, Seekonk, MA.
Customers like the nice selection of trees and wreaths. Make sure to pick up some chocolate Santa lollipops for stocking stuffers while you’re there.
Phone: 508-336-5587
Open daily, 9 am – 6 pm
Web: www.fourtownfarm.com
Home Depot – Locations everywhere!
One person said, “I tell them I want a nice smelling tree, pay, pull around in my car, have them put it on the roof, and leave.”
Web: www.homedepot.com
Please add your favorite place to get a Christmas tree–or your ideas for decorating treelessly–by posting comments.
Here’s one in Westport–also recommended:
http://www.christmas-tree.com/real/ma/quietplace/index.html
This year we are following our friends’ lead and gathering a bunch of fallen branches into an umbrella stand and decorating those. The Yankee Candle “Balsam” scent Candle Jar someone gave me will be just as nice, right? (Joking–about the candle only.)
We picked ours up last weekend at Mike’s Christmas Tree Farm on Pippin Orchard Rd in Cranston. We got there too late to cut our own, but the choices of already fresh cut trees were amazing@ We got a great HUGE tree for pretty reasonable price. The guy was nice and gave the boys lollipops too. I highly recommend it!
I work in southern Rhode Island and whenever something seasonal is mentioned, someone says, ‘I go to Schartner’s Farm (on Rt. 2) for that.’ Pies, pumpkins, fresh vegetables, and of course now Christmas trees. They have small decorative ones and the full size too.