Some people associate the month of November with Thanksgiving , while others see it as merely a precursor to Christmas . If you ’ re in the latter category , then you know it ’ s time to start thinking about where this year ’ s evergreen is coming from . We ’ ve rounded up options in every corner of the state — no matter where Santa is dropping off your gifts this season .
SOUTH Riverside Christmas Tree Farm HISTORY : Riverside Farm has been in coowner Jane Durning ’ s family since 1905 when her great-grandfather bought the property ( fun fact : he was also the first police chief in Charlestown ). “ My husband , Kevin , and I started growing Christmas trees in 1988 ,” she says . “ We plant about 1,000 trees each spring . Right now , we have approximately eight acres of trees in all stages of growth from small seedlings to ready to cut .”
SPECIES AVAILABLE : Blue spruce , white spruce , Scotch pine , white pine , red pine , Fraser fir , balsam fir , Korean fir , white fir , concolor fir and blue balsam fir . SERVICES : Tagging , choose and cut MORE : Wreaths , cemetery baskets and home decor items handmade by Durning herself are also for sale at the farm , as well as homemade craft items from local artists . Depending on COVID-19 guidelines at the time of opening , she also hopes to provide a hot chocolate , hot cider and popcorn station .
HOURS : Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a . m . to 4 p . m . ( or by appointment ) starting the weekend before Thanksgiving and ending the weekend before Christmas or when the lot is empty . “ I strongly suggest choosing your tree earlier than later this year ,” Durning says . “ Last year , we sold out of all the trees we wanted to sell by the first of December . I feel that this will happen again this year . We do allow tagging and that may be the way for customers to select their perfect tree but not need to cut it until later in the
72 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l NOVEMBER 2021