For Release: November 21, 1997 ** See Local Interest

Contact: Stephen Volpe 277-2781

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - 'Tis the season to begin the search for the perfect Christmas tree, and the Department of Environmental Management's annual Rhode Island Grown guide to Christmas Tree Farms will start you on your way.

Produced by DEM's Division of Agriculture, the guide lists 48 tree farms in Rhode Island where living Christmas trees can be chosen, tagged and cut. The guide is also a source of information on native grown tree species, buying and preserving a tree, and fire safety tips on how to treat your cut tree once you've brought it home.

Generally, species of trees grown in Rhode Island are fir, spruce, and pine. Native-grown Christmas trees are plantation planted, fertilized, and sheared. It may take eight to 12 years to raise a tree of six to eight feet.

Stephen Volpe, Acting Chief of DEM's Division of Agriculture, says that once you bring your tree home, keep it outdoors until you are ready to decorate. "Cut an additional inch off the trunk, place it in water immediately, and leave it overnight in a partially heated area to acclimate it to the warmth of your home before bringing it inside to decorate it," he said.

Volpe offered some safety tips from the brochure:

• Avoid the use of combustible decorations.
• Check all electric lights and connections prior to decorating. Never use worn, frayed cords.
• Never use lighted candles.
• Place the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets and other heat sources.
• Be sure to unplug lights before retiring at night and any time you leave home.
• Be sure to check water level daily. Trees absorb between two pints and a gallon of water every day.
• A tree stand should be large enough to hold at least one gallon of water, and should be large enough to adequately secure the tree.
• Brace the tree.

The brochure, which lists the location of each Christmas tree farm, as well as the hours and days of operation and telephone numbers, can be obtained by calling the DEM Division of Agriculture's 24-hour request line at 277-2781, pressing 1, then entering extension 4754. The brochure is also available for downloading or viewing via the Division's electronic bulletin board at 277-6152 nights and weekends. Settings are N, 8, 1, off.

 **Local Interest: Rhode Island Grown Christmas tree farms are located in Charlestown, Chepachet, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Greene, Harrisville, Hope, Hope Valley, Johnston, Lincoln, Little Compton, Middletown, Portsmouth, Scituate, Shannock, Smithfield, Tiverton, Warren, West Greenwich, Westerly, and West Kingston.