For some families - like ours - visiting a local snow covered Christmas tree farm to choose and cut or select our own fresh cut Christmas tree for own home the Atlantic Birches Inn in Old Orchard Beach Maine is the yearly quintessential New England tradition that my wife, daughter and I look forward to with great anticipation each year.

Maine's fragrant balsam firs and Currier and Ives-like wintry landscape draw people from all over New England when it comes to picking out your Christmas tree at a classic New England Maine Tree Farm with its rolling hillsides and sometimes rocky terrains. The first thing you will want to do is to make sure that everyone bundles up well and has gloves, coats hats and boots because you don't want to get sick. You will not need to bring along your own saw, the farm you are going to should provide you with one. If you don't feel like cutting down your own tree you can always purchase one that has already been cut down which should be located around the barnyard. Some of the barns offer fun winter activities, like sleigh rides, hayrides and wagon rides and will also have a shop filled with fresh handmade pine wreaths, garland, bows, tree stands, maple syrup, pinecones, wines from local wineries, holiday keepsake ornaments, and a harvest kitchen Christmas canteen serving mulled cider, hot chocolate, coffee, fresh made donuts, homemade pies and fudge

You want to make sure that everyone in your party sticks together so that nobody gets lost. Some places will have horse draw wagons or tractors to drag your tree back to the barn where they will bale it and tie it up on your car for the trip home. You need to make sure you water your tree at least twice per day. If you do not, the needles will dry out and cause a fire hazard.