Kids Plant, Grow & Harvest Their Own Christmas Trees in The Rocks' Forevergreen Program

Anna Berry | December 17, 2021
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The Rocks
Sixth graders cut the Christmas trees they planted in 2015.

Students harvested their own trees at The Rocks' Christmas tree farm.

For many years, The Rocks has partnered with nearby Bethlehem Elementary School in the Forevergreen Program. Students begin the program in kindergarten by planting their own Christmas trees at The Rocks and complete the program in sixth grade by harvesting the trees they've learned about and watched grow for seven years.

Sixth graders help haul the cut trees back to the tree baler.
The Rocks has partnered with Bethlehem Elementary School for many years.
Over the course of that time, children discover various aspects of a local Christmas tree farm, from how a tree grows and how tree farmers care for their crop, to what types of wildlife benefit from the ecosystem created by planting, raising, and harvesting Christmas trees.

A sign shows where trees planted in 2015 are growing.
The Forevergreen Program's curriculum may be adapted by any school with access to a tree farm. Many students enjoy visiting their trees with family members, beyond the school outings, so it's beneficial to plant trees at a place accessible year-round.

This week, the school's sixth graders harvested the trees they planted in 2015- just in time for Christmas!

Sixth graders pose with their tree.
The class of 2021 shows off their harvested trees.

"I loved being part of this with my daughter, now 26! Great memories," said Amy Delventhal on The Rocks' Facebook page.

And, Lori Blais Raichle agreed:

"This was my favorite BES program with my 3 kids. My oldest and youngest, 6 years apart, planted in the same row. Thank you Rocks Estate!" she wrote on Facebook.