Tree trimming tips from The Rocks

There are as many ways to trim a tree as there are Christmas trees. There are sparkling  trees, color-themed trees, and trees filled with a hodgepodge of cherished family ornaments. Tinsel, garland, white lights, colored lights. Topped with a star or an angel or Santa Claus.

The beauty of a Christmas tree is really in the eye – and the heart – of the beholder.

If you want to add a fresh, personal touch to your tree this Christmas, homemade ornaments are fun to make and can be eco-friendly, too. A few ideas:

* Snowflakes cut from recycled paper (plain, colored, or patterned)

* Holiday ribbons tied to pinecones (which could be natural or dipped in glitter) or around cinnamon sticks (which add a touch of spice to your tree)

* Old Christmas cards cut into shapes and hung with ribbon

* Garlands strung with popcorn, cranberries, and dried apples

The first step to a beautiful tree, of course, is keeping your farm fresh Christmas tree, well, fresh! When your Christmas tree was cut, over half its weight was water, so the most important thing to do is keep that tree watered. Here are some tips for maintaining your tree’s freshness throughout the holiday season:

* Before you set your tree in its stand, make a fresh cut in the trunk, about ½-inch from the bottom.

* Place your tree in water as soon as you can and make sure the reservoir of your tree stand stays filled – the base of your tree should stay submerged to ensure it does not dry out.

* Try to keep your Christmas tree away from heating sources like fireplaces, radiators, and heating vents – and out of direct sunlight – to prevent drying.

* Miniature tree lights (LED lights are most energy efficient) produce less heat than larger lights, and therefore less drying.

* Finally, when the holidays have passed and you’re ready to recycle your Christmas tree, visit www.realchristmastrees.org to find out more about recycling options. (Christmas trees should NEVER be burned in a fireplace or wood stove, as doing so can cause excessive creosote buildup and lead to chimney fires!)

Need more tree care tips? Visit the New Hampshire Christmas Trees website for more information. 

P.S. Just a reminder that the last day to order your Christmas tree online is December 12^th if you live outside of New England and December 18^th if you live within the New England region!

Open for the Holidays at The Rocks Estate

The Rocks Estate is now open for the holiday season!

Our fields of Christmas trees await you – come search the rows of fragrant firs to find your perfect tree, or select one from our retail lot at the farm.

With plenty of festive holiday cheer and beautiful Christmas card scenery, The Rocks invites visitors to make a day of selecting a farm fresh Christmas tree for trimming, perusing our shop for gifts and ornaments, and enjoying the historic Rocks Estate property during a horse-drawn wagon ride.

The Rocks also has several festive events planned throughout the holiday season…

Our own special Green Santa will return to The Rocks this year, spreading holiday cheer. Children are invited to have their picture taken with our Green “Eco” Santa, who will give the gift of a fir tree seedling to each child. Green Santa will be at The Rocks the following Saturdays: November 26^th, December 3^rd, and December 10^th.

Add a special Christmas touch to your holiday cards this year! Employees from the Bethlehem post office will be at The Rocks each Saturday afternoon and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with the town’s special holiday cancellation stamp. Created many years ago, the stamp features a group of Christmas trees reaching toward a bright star. So be sure to bring your Christmas cards along when you come to The Rocks for your tree!

The Rocks is also supporting Trees for Troops again this year. Trees for Troops collaborates with Christmas tree growers throughout the country to provide farm fresh Christmas trees to U.S. military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. This year the program will deliver its 100,000^th tree! Check out our Birch Deer during your visit to The Rocks. All proceeds from sales of the Birch Deer support Trees for Troops. The Rocks also offers Trees for Troops teddy bears, sold by the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association to benefit Trees for Troops.

To learn more about what’s happening at The Rocks, we invite you to view our informative YouTube videos – and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook. And, of course, our online shop is always open!