Open starting Nov. 18 for Cut-Your-Own Trees, Fresh-cut Trees, Wreaths, Weekend Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides and More
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- The Rocks
The first snowfall at The Rocks. (Photo: Chris Whiton, 2020)
The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to deck the halls with festive garland, beautiful wreaths and of course the perfect Christmas tree. If you are craving the scent of natural balsam fir look no further than The Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks located at 113 Glessner Road in Bethlehem. For over 35 years, the Christmas tree farm has welcomed families and visitors during the holiday season for cut-your-own trees, fresh-cut trees, wreaths, and gifts. Opening day this year is Saturday, November 18.
With the opening of our new program center in the renovated Carriage Barn, this year visitors once again will enjoy a full holiday experience at our historic Christmas tree farm. The program center features a gift shop, interactive exhibits on the magic of New Hampshire forests, and spectacular mountain views.
Described by many as a “modern-day Norman Rockwell Christmas scene,” The Rocks offers row upon row of perfectly shaped fir trees on its 40 acres of fields in Bethlehem.
Cameron Larnerd, Christmas tree farm manager for the Forest Society, agrees: “Each one of our 26,000 trees was hand-pruned this summer by staff and volunteers, with thousands ready for harvesting. From mowing paths, to shearing and shaping the trees, to planting for the next year, care for the trees is a years-long endeavor, culminating in this most joyous season.”
Visitors can wander the farm in search of their perfect family tree or can choose to purchase a fresh-cut tree. Unlike other tree farms, proceeds from The Rocks Christmas trees help support forest conservation across New Hampshire. And the tree you cut will be replaced in the spring with a new seedling that will be sequestering carbon and providing wildlife habitat for at least seven years, when it reaches harvest-size.
This year visitors can enjoy fresh kettle corn and take a free horse-drawn carriage ride on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 24-26, and Saturday and Sundays, December 2-3, and December 9-10. Wagon rides are available on a first come, first served basis from 10-3:30.
“There’s no better place to get into the holiday spirit than at the Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks,” said Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. “This year we are especially excited to welcome the public to our newly renovated program and education center. All Christmas tree sales, wreath sales, and our gift shop are located at the historic, renovated Carriage Barn that is now heated by geothermal and solar power – that means it is also warm! We couldn’t be more excited for this holiday season.”
Following opening day on Saturday, November 18th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., sales at The Rocks will be closed November 19th through Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd and then open daily starting Friday, November 24th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (fields close at 3:30 p.m.) through Sunday, December 17th.
The Rocks has been featured on Martha Stewart Magazine, WMUR, New Hampshire Chronicle, Good Morning America, and in Yankee Magazine.