Christmas Trees
The Farm at Raven Brook grows Canaan Fir, Concolor, and Scotch Pine. Our Choose and Cut trees are sold 6.5 feet - 25 feet tall. Fresh Cut Balsam Fir Trees from Maine are also available.
Tree Service
Once you choose your favorite tree, a member of our staff will measure and tag it for you. Have a family tradition of cutting down your own tree? We have hand saws that can be used. If you prefer us to cut it down, our pleasure.
After the tree is tagged and cut, we will transport your tree to the baling station. While the tree is being processed, visit The Shoppe for wreaths, arrangements, and to complete your purchase.
Twine is available to tie the tree down on your vehicle.
Christmas Tree Care
When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your tree.
Below are several tips on caring for your tree:
Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir-type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water-holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. For example, a stand that will hold a four-inch trunk should hold at least one gallon (4 quarts) of water with the tree in the stand.
Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.
No additives are needed in the water to preserve the tree. The key is to keep the tree well-watered.
Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does NOT improve water uptake.
Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don’t bruise the cut surface or get it dirty. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water.
Simply use tap water to fill the stand.
Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
Keep trees away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.
Prepared by Dr. Gary Chastagner and Dr. Eric Hinesley; edited by the National Christmas Tree Association