HARTFORD/TOLLAND COUNTY, CT — We're going plural with this week's Hidden Gem, because there are several of them around this time of year.
The Gems this week are all the fun places in Hartford and Tolland counties to get fresh Christmas trees.
Many residents prefer fresh-cut Christmas trees — whether they cut down trees themselves or buy from a retail lot — and they shouldn't be having have any trouble finding them in 2022, according to a survey of Christmas tree growers by an industry trade group and a state growers organization.
The prediction by the Real Christmas Tree Board comes after a survey of 55 wholesalers that supply two-thirds of the market for fresh trees and 1,500 U.S. adults ages 21-49.
"The real Christmas tree industry met demand last year, and it will meet demand this year," Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board, said in a news release. "This is essentially a year without surprises."
Residents of both counties have plenty of options, according to the Real Christmas Tree Board website and the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association. Residents can also be on the lookout for local organizations selling trees. According to the CCTGA, fresh options include:
Tolland County
Andover
Willington
Hartford County
Broad Brook
Kensington
Southington
South Windsor
Windsor
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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to Chris.dehnel@patch.com.
Other Gems in this series:
2022
2021 and earlier:
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