With a Thanksgiving unlike any other being put to bed last week, many families are now in search of a Christmas tree to light up their homes before the holiday.
While many on Bainbridge Island own artificial trees they can reuse each year, others like to buy fresh trees at local stores, while still others like to go out in the woods and cut one down in the traditional way.
On Bainbridge, there are only a few spots where that can be done – Grandma’s Christmas Tree Farm on Brooklyn Road and Bainbridge Island Farms/Suyematsu Farms on Manzanita Road.
“It’s just been gung-ho,” said Karen Selvar, owner/operator at Suyematsu. “This (past) weekend was very, very busy. (Nov. 27) was, I think, a record-breaking day.”
Jeff Oens, who works at Grandma’s, said they also had a very busy first weekend, selling probably well over 100 trees. That tree farm, owned by Tom Coultas Jr. of Kingston, is only open on weekends. That family has owned it for decades.
“Some people come every year,” Oens said, adding one family said they’ve gone there for 30 years.
Oens said Grandma’s offers something other places don’t — people can come out and tag the tree they want if they don’t have time to cut it down that day.
Back at Suyematsu, that farm offers Noble Firs ranging from 3-10 feet tall and has a limited number of 6-footers for U-cut, along with a variety of pre-cut trees. Saws are provided for U-cuts, which can be done by staff or the customer. They also sell handmade wreaths, centerpieces and garlands. Prices vary.
Each year, the farm provides around 600 Christmas trees for sale, which Selvar said might be more this year due to a slightly increased demand. She also thinks the community interest will be consistent through mid-December, stating they will close up when they run out of trees.
In order to maintain the Christmas trees, Selvar said it is a year-round process, starting with planting each year that will be sold a few years later. Tree maintenance consists of scheduled watering, fertilizing and pruning, Selvar said.
Hours are daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Folks are required to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing.
Also on the island, Boy Scout Troop 1565’s annual Christmas Tree Lot is open for the next couple of weeks. It is in the parking lot between Ace Hardware and McDonald’s and is open from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. Mondays are open for self-service.
Trees include Noble Firs, Nordmann Firs, Frasier Firs and Douglas Firs, typically ranging from 4- to 7-feet tall.
“We’ll give your tree a fresh cut, trim off any branches you want taken off, and tie it down to your car for you,” the troop’s Facebook page reads.
Prices vary. Proceeds go toward the Scouts to attend Summer Camp, High Adventure Camp and to fund Eagle Scout projects.
Local tree farms
Grandma’s Christmas Tree Farm, Bainbridge Island, 206-842-6868
Bainbridge Island Farms/Suyematsu Farms, BI,
Henry’s Tree Farm, Poulsbo, 360-297-2183
Parker Tree Farm, Poulsbo, 808-781-6357
Forester Bob’s Christmas Tree Farm, Poulsbo, 360-638-2726
Jones Tree Farm, Poulsbo, 360-779-7840
Olmstead Tree Farm, Poulsbo, 360-340-3246
