One of my favorite annual traditions is finding and tagging a Christmas tree with my parents after Thanksgiving. I was so excited to learn that a beloved local tree farm in Little Compton, RI (formerly Boland’s Tree Farm) had reopened under new ownership as Nagetuck Farm.

We walked through the cozy barn and gift shop, and of course I had to visit the baby goats and piglets.

Since we brought Falkor with us, we chose to walk to the fields, but you could also take a tractor-drawn hay ride. The farm was closed last season and so the fields were filled with lots of full and beautiful trees.

I spent several weekends working here when I was in high school, and loved being outside in the crisp cold – seeing families hunt excitedly for their tree.

Nagetuck farm offers several species of Christmas trees, including Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and my favorite, the Concolor Fir – a species originally from the Southwest that smells like citrus and has a gorgeous blue tint to its needles.

Since the goal of this blog is to “celebrate sustainable experiences”  I should mention that perhaps cutting down a live tree is not the most sustainable choice.  This is something I’d never considered until recently and I think this article describes the complicated issue nicely.

Though using a live tree may not be as sustainable as forgoing one altogether or using a potted tree that can planted afterwards, there are some benefits to visiting a local tree farm. Tree farms absorb carbon from the atmosphere, provide habitat for animals, and protect water supplies. This nostalgic tradition is a wonderful way to spend a day among nature while also supporting your local agricultural economy. This year, I will make sure that my Christmas tree is composted after we take it down.