No sooner have we settled our full Thanksgiving bellies than local businesses are getting ready to open for Christmas sales.
Picking out and decorating a Christmas tree is one of the quintessential family traditions of the season. When you visit a U-cut tree farm, you get to enjoy the cold, pine-scented air as you find a special tree that will bring your family joy the rest of the month. (Pro tip: Measure your living room space ahead of time, because outdoor trees look deceptively small.)
My kids love our annual tree farm outing because they get to be involved in all tasks. Once we've chosen our tree, with Dad's help, they each get a turn with the farm-provided hand saw. Both clutch the mid-section of the tree as we haul it up front. And they get a real kick out of the "tree shaker," which wobbles loose needles right out.
Bring warm boots and gloves on your tree farm visit. It can be muddy, and their hands will get cold while handling the tree. Complimentary candy canes and hot apple cider await chilled little hands at most farms. And some offer wagon rides, Santa appearances and other cheerful holiday events.
IF YOU GO …
Cutting Your Own Tree on Forest Service Land
With a $10 permit, you can head up to the mountains and cut your own Christmas tree. Pick up a map of permissible cutting areas and the permit at most ranger or public service stations as well as at REI stores in Seattle and Lynnwood. Getting a tree early, before snow falls, usually means better access on forest roads. Most trees are reached by narrow, unplowed mountain roads. For more information, look it up on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website.
Finding a U-Cut Christmas Tree Farm
Locate a nearby Christmas tree farm on the Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association website, which also features directions, hours and other holiday happenings at the farms. The list below has numerous U-cut locations, but visit your intended destination's website or call ahead of time to check on their hours and whether they still have trees. Many sell out quickly.
KING COUNTY
Carnation Tree Farm
31523 NE 40th St, Carnation. 425-333-4510
Christmas Creek Tree Farm
www.christmascreektreefarm.com
15515 468th Ave SE, North Bend. 425-888-2099
Coates Christmas Trees
17225 SE Green Valley Rd, Auburn. 253-709-6293
Country Tree Farm
18225 116th Ave SE, Renton. 425-255-5172.
Crown Christmas Tree Farm
805 SE 12th St, North Bend. 425-888-1836
Crystal Creek Tree Farm
23604 SE 192nd St, Maple Valley. 425-432-1111
Enchanted Winds Tree Farm
18021 Issaquah-Hobart Rd, Issaquah. 425-432-4573
Fall City Farms
3636 Neal Rd, Fall City. 425-222-4553
Honeytree Farm
21606 SE Green Valley Rd, Auburn. 253-333-8934
Keith & Scott Tree Farm
42999 SE 120th St, North Bend. 206-909-6954
McMurtrey's Red-Wood Christmas Tree Farm
13925 Woodinville-Redmond Rd, Redmond. 425-482-6795
Mountain Creek Christmas Tree Farm
6821 440th Ave SE, Snoqualmie. 425-888-1770
Papa's Tree Farm
26429 SE 200th St, Maple Valley. 425-433-8117
Serres Farm
20306 NE 50th St, Redmond. 425-868-3017
Three Tree Farms
28033 SE 216th St, Maple Valley. 425-432-4372
Trinity Tree Farm
14237 228th Ave SE, Issaquah. 425-391-8733
Wilson Hill Tree Farm
20241 SE 232nd St, Maple Valley. 425-432-2805
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Big Lake Trees
19117 State Rte 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-5124
Bowen Tree Farm
19301 95th Ave NE, Arlington. 360-435-9260
Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm
5511 State Rte 92, Lake Stevens. 425-308-0355
Paterson's Lazy Acres Tree Farm
1315 188th St NE, Arlington. 360-652-7661
Pilchuck Secret Valley Christmas Tree Farm
9533 Mose Rd, Arlington. 360-435-9799
Stocker Farms
www.stockerfarms.com/christmas-trees
8705 Marsh Rd, Snohomish. 360-568-7391
PIERCE COUNTY
Cox Christmas Tree Farm
40605 Meridian Ave E, Eatonville. 360-832-6673
Double Four Tree Farm
4217 72nd St ., Tacoma. 253-535-9267
Harvey's Harvest Christmas Trees
www.harveysharvestchristmastrees.com
7315 166th Ave E, Sumner. 253-863-0533
Holiday U-Cut Christmas Trees
39908 Dean Kreger Rd E, Eatonville. 360-832-8733
Snowshoe Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm
10716 State Rte. 162 E, Puyallup. 253-845-5199
