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Dates to Remember
Holiday Open House
Dec 18 10:00 - 4:00pm
End of Season Sale
Dec 19 & 20, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Sun 10 - 1 thru 12/20 |
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ATTENTION!
Essex and Middlesex
Farmers...
Please review your farm listing on NortheastHarvest.com and advise us of any changes required to your crop listings, contact info, offerings, events and hours of operation.
New categories are now available, click here for a complete list. |
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This Newsletter is presented in partnership by:
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 Welcome
NortheastHarvest celebrates the bounty of the season. This month we showcase the christmas tree farms of Essex and Middlesex County, urging you venture out to find, tag and cut that perfect pine, hemlock or spruce that will put you in the Holiday spirit. |
MDAR Unveils Its User-Friendly Website and Logo
www.mass.gov/agr
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), established in 1852 as the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, has a long and proud history representing the Commonwealth's agricultural interests. Considering the increasing diversity of MA agriculture, and the expanding range of activities it supports, the agency has undergone a website and logo transformation.
The MA state outline and tractor logo will still be the ubiquitous emblem used to promote Massachusetts Grown initiatives that include Savor Massachusetts, the Wine & Cheese Trail brochure, Farmers' Markets, Agri-Tourisim, and more. With unprecedented interest in Buy Local, Massachusetts Grown & Fresher is a value-added differentiator for those looking for high quality Massachusetts products.
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 Who's Your Farmer?
Middlesex County
D.J. Hussey Farm
20 Burgess Road, Townsend, MA (978) 597-6891
Owners, Darlene & John Hussey invite you to visit their Townsend Christmas Tree Farm, offering Balsam, Douglas & Fraser Fir; Blue & White Spruce Tree types. In addition to cut-your-own trees, they offer tree shaking and wrapping, a Christmas Shop, wreaths, roping and other accessories. D.J. Hussey Farm will be open 11/28 - 12/21, weekends 9:00 - 5:00, weekdays 3:30 - 5:30. Directions: Take Rte. 119 to Townsend, then North on Rte 13, left at Police Station, right on Burgess Rd. Call (978) 597-6891 or e-mail djhussey@comcast.net for more information. |
 Who's Your Farmer?
Essex County
Drouin Farm
324 Forest Street, Methuen, MA
(978) 683-3711
Tree tagging is encouraged by Drouin Farm owner, Leda M. Drouin, where you can find Balsam Fir and Blue Spruce Christmas tree types. Opening November 27 for the season, 8am-dusk on weekends; or 8am-dusk Mon-Fri if you catch them home. Directions: Rte 93 North to Exit 47; at the lights turn left onto Pelham Street. Drive approx. 3 miles, then left onto Forest Street. Farm is on the right.
Be sure to call first to check at (978) 683-3711, or e-mail drouinfarm@comcast.net. |
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 Featured Product: Christmas Trees Nearly all Massachusetts Christmas trees are grown as a farm crop for the primary purpose of harvest. Your choice of a fresh-cut local tree continues the natural cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting trees in our region.
Growing Christmas trees is ecologically beneficial. One acre of Christmas trees provides enough fresh oxygen for 18 people. Young trees actively cleanse the air we breathe and create green belts in urban areas providing clean air for all of us. In addition, Christmas tree plantations preserve open space and provide homes for bird habitat, insects, and wildlife.
Visit the NortheastHarvest.com Farm Map under the Christmas Tree category to make your tree and holiday greenery selection experience a special buy-local treat. Plan ahead - some farms sell out early. Several farms offer early tagging, tree shaking, wrapping, roping, wreaths, swags, etc.! Call or link to a farm website to check hours and confirm availability of trees, especially after mid December. |
 Christmas Tree Farms Near You
Essex County
- Herrick Tree Farm, Boxford, www.herricktreefarm.com
- Oaknoll Farm, Essex, (978) 768-6206
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C.J. Donovan & Sons Nursery, Groveland, (978) 372-9951
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Drouin Farm, Methuen, (978) 683-3711
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Stevens Tree Farm, Salisbury, (978) 465-3037
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White Gate Christmas Tree Farm, W. Newbury, (978) 363-2224
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Evergreen Farm, West Newbury, (978) 363-2622,
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Christmas Tree Farms Near You
Middlesex County
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Silveus Plantation, Dunstable, (978) 649-6086
Forestry Farm, Littleton, (978) 486-4449
- The Tree Farm, Marlborough, (508) 485-0683
- Pacing Pine Farm, (978) 448-268, www.pacingpinefarm.com Weiss Farms, Inc., Stoneham, (781) 438-0689, www.weissfarm.com
- Elm Lane Farm, Townsend, (978) 597-2456
- D.J. Hussey Farm, Townsend, (978) 597-6891
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 Selecting the perfect Christmas Tree
Trees look much smaller outdoors with the sky as the ceiling. Before you leave for a farm, measure your ceiling height accurately. Then subtract the height of your tree top ornament and the height your tree stand raises the tree off the floor. Now you have the height measurements you need. Next measure the width you need. Read more... |
 How to care for your Christmas Tree
Once home with your freshly cut tree, cut one half inch off its bottom trunk, and place the base of the tree in an adequate supply of water, in a cool place. When you bring the tree inside, cut one half inch off the bottom of the tree. Place the tree in a tree stand that has enough water holding capacity for the stem diameter of the tree. A rule of thumb is one quart of water per inch of diameter stem. Always make sure the water level is above the base of the tree or a partial seal will form and reduce additional water absorption.
The best tree preservative is plain water. A tree with high moisture levels significantly reduces needle loss and is almost impossible to ignite. |
 Recycling Your Tree
After the holidays, consider giving your tree a second life as compost, mulch or chips to be used later in a garden or at a landscape project. Clip the branches from the tree and use them as a protective cover on garden plants.Use the tree as a birdfeeder which can also be a cover shelter and a shield from harsh weather. If you prefer, transport your tree to a recycling center. |
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What's on your mind?
Help us strengthen our offerings by providing feedback and commentary on what features you'd like to see in this newsletter. Click here to contact us. | |
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