Where Do You Buy a Tree?
The holiday season is upon us and I have a question for all you readers. Where do you buy your Christmas trees? I have great memories of always going to the Boy Scout tree lot growing up, but I’ve never bought a tree here in Tacoma. Where are the charity run lots? Anyone run a quaint operation? Or are the big commercial operations the only way to go?
17 comments
M Marguerite November 28, 2008
My family has always bought those $10 tree permits and gone into the national forrest in the back of the pickup truck. I don’t go anymore, I just fork over my $10 and place an order with those willing to brave the cold and snow.
I feel horrible though, I would rather buy a tree in a pot or something that I could use year after year. TreeInAPot.com?? someone invent that!
J Jake November 28, 2008
My family always went to Double Four Tree Farm on East 72nd Street. Once you cut your own tree you won’t go back to a tree lot. And the free apple cider is always a plus.
M Mofo from the Hood November 28, 2008
I can’t seem seem to find a shiny aluminum foil style tree of the type that was so popular in the 1960’s. They’re really quite fun to assemble and very enjoyable to look at.
J Jane November 28, 2008
3 Cedars AIDS Housing has a deal with a tree lot and if you mention 3 Cedars the lot will give them 20%.
What’s really cool is that you can order the tree online and have it delivered (free) or go out to the tree farm in Eatonville and get it yourself.
Kind of a cool way to give!
A AngelaJossy November 28, 2008
Jane, Can you give us the link or the name of the tree lot?
J Jane November 28, 2008
here’s a link to the tree lot… be sure to mention “3 Cedars” in the comments. http://www.pertango.com/christmas_trees/
M Mofo from the Hood November 28, 2008
I once knew a woman who had a ceramic Christmas tree. It was about a foot tall and had multi-color lights the size of pencil erasers and they were lit by a regular light bulb inside the tree.
Pretty cool, but I couldn’t tell ya where to buy one.
M Marguerite November 28, 2008
Mofo From the Hood,
Your aluminum trees are on Ebay!
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=vintage+aluminum+christmas+tree&_sacat=See-All-Categories
S Susan November 29, 2008
The last few years we have gotten a tree from Tacoma Boys on 6th Ave. A bit pricey – especially as we always swear we’ll get a less expensive variety but talk ourselves up a couple notches – but the trees are all put in tree stands with water at the lot, so they last forever. They also sell pink flocked trees, if that is your style (definitely not mine!).
I know the Gardensphere on Proctor & N. 33rd says they will deliver trees for free (www.gardensphere.biz/).
As for non-profits, we always buy a wreath from L’Arche (www.larchethc.org/). They’ll be out at several sales at area churches on Dec. 7th, including the Bethany Presbyterian Alternative Market (bethanytacoma.org/2008HarvestFestival.aspx)
C Charles November 29, 2008
Typically, my family and I would trek down to the tree farm in Orting for our annual tannenbaum acquisition. Unfortunately my brothers developed severe allergic reactions to the trees over the years so every December marks the re-assemblage of a near-to-life tree, re-adorned with our beloved family decorations. Dad originally got it as a Wal-Mart special around $15 for those going that route.
T Torax O'Tool November 29, 2008
Personally, I have a fake tree because it is an epic pain in the ass to carry a real one up 6 flights of stairs.
If I ever can afford to buy a house, I’ll get a real one again.
When I was growing up tho, we always had a real tree. Back in the 80s we got them at the empty lot where the 7-11 @ the corner of 48th and Pine now stands. We got trees there for years.
After the 7-11 went up, we alternated between the Top Foods and the Elks lodge… whichever one had better looking trees. Last year, my parents got theirs at the Elks again.
Y You're Welcome November 29, 2008
A living tree in a pot from Portland Avenue Nursery.
http://www.portlandavenursery.com/
M Mofo from the Hood November 29, 2008
Thank you Marguerite. I viewed your E-bay recommendation and was extra surprised when I discovered the wonderful supply of complementary revolving color wheel light projectors.
My next search is for the famous Christmas song by Burl Ives called “Have a holly jolly Christmas.”
T Torax O'Tool November 29, 2008
I have Holly Jolly copy of it.
Interested? A Holly Jolly hook-up can easily be arranged.
S Squid November 30, 2008
Thorax, that would be a hoe-lly jolly christmas, but who is quibbling.
The best live trees are to be cut from Augie’s Tree Farm on Vashon Island, ferry ride extra. They have no problem if you want to bring a flask or two, as long as you share.
Head out in the morning and stop for huevos rancheros at the Homegrown Cafe, owned and operated by Taj Mahal’s daughter. Many great art galleries are open there now.
J J. Cote December 1, 2008
This is the first year in our family history that we’ve gone artificial. It got to be too much work putting it up, getting it straight (to the boss’ exacting specifications), putting on the lights (1300 of them) and then decorating. Last year it was a 5-6 hour job and I ran out of “Holiday Cheer” about 4 hours in! Besides the hassle, I was beginning to feel guilty about killing a tree every December.Also,This Costco special will pay for itself in 3 Seasons
In previous years we got trees from the lot at Albertson’s on Pearl St. It’s a family run business, reasonably priced and really nice, helpful folks. They’ll even “throw in some twine to help you tie it to the car” ala Gavin McCloud in A Christmas Story.
T Tom Llewellyn December 1, 2008
This year we went to Enumclaw and bought a forest service permit. Ten bucks! Then we trekked up to Greenwater and hit the logging roads. We ended up with a pretty beautiful noble fir, a really muddy car and a few hours of great memories. We even found snow. Permits go fast—may already be gone.