Letter: Eric Watne: Rhode Island should be supporting its local tree farms

It’s disappointing that Rhode Island recently conceded it can’t accomplish what millions of Americans do every December: maintain a live Christmas tree. Instead, it purchased a plastic replica for the State House. It went zirconia in a state rich with diamonds.

This move would be slightly more excusable if this were a tropical location where live fir trees were not a local product. But Rhode Island is a state with approximately 25 Christmas tree farms.

When Rhode Islanders decide it is more prudent to purchase products grown or manufactured outside our borders (in the case of the State House tree, China), it goes against all efforts to encourage and support local sustainable farming.

Rhode Island Christmas Tree Grower member farms have been donating a live tree to the State House for decades. We’ve done this after well-publicized mishandling that killed trees and after the governor refused to acknowledge them as what they are: Christmas trees.

And we would continue to do so even after the recent decision to purchase a counterfeit conifer. We’re proud to support our state and proud of our farms and the trees we grow. It’s disappointing the governor does not support and encourage these efforts.

We encourage Rhode Islanders to visit a local farm. Whatever product you love — from tomatoes, apples, honey to Christmas trees — please consider purchasing those produced locally. It would be a shame to see local farming go the way of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

 Eric Watne, Tiverton

 The writer is president of the Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association.