Boulder County has a reputation as a tree-loving place, and when it comes to Christmas trees, it's one of Colorado's hottest locations to sell native Christmas trees - trees that often come from right out of county's own forests.
"I really think that it's actually because of the environmental concern," said
Tony Smith, who has sold native Colorado Christmas trees for 29 years from a farm a few hundred yards north of Valmont Road, on 75th Street. "I think people here are know that their forests need thinning and buying these trees helps."
This year, Smith, the self-professed "king of the Charley Brown Christmas trees," has opened up a second stand at the 29th Street Mall in Boulder, near Macy's department store. Still most of the native trees that he sells - about 90 percent of the trees at either stands come from Colorado forests - are taken from thinning projects near Gross Reservoir.
"We were just looking for a place that had local Christmas trees," said
Jill Rahall of Boulder, while shopping at Smith's 29th Street Mall location on Nov. 23. "We belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture organization) and we found this place on the Web (www.coloradoforestproducts.org) . It made sense to us to support a local business that sells trees that were grown locally."
Trees carrying the Colorado Forest Product tags ensure consumers that these trees come from non-irrigated Colorado forests. As such, the sale of these trees support local economies, but more so they support sustainable efforts to keep our forests healthy.
Boulder County usually has six native tree outlets every year, and features long-time retailers such as Smith and
Larry Sais, whose Big M lots have been in and around Boulder for 38 years. Sais said environmental awareness is part of the reason native trees sell well, but he think the look and freshness of the native trees are also big parts of the equation.
"Some people just want a really full farm-grown tree, but they really are harder to decorate," Sais said. "Because they are so full you can't get decorations inside of the branches."
Brian Lewis and
Thea Allen, of Denver, have been coming to the Big M lot on the northeast corner of 30th and Pearl streets in Boulder for years. They said it is the quality of the trees, which last longer and shed fewer needles than trees shipped in from out of state, that draws them to Boulder.
Sais also sells native trees at his Lafayette location on the southwest corner of Colorado 42 and Arapahoe Road, but it's in Boulder proper that most of his native trees are sold.
And people who have traditionally hunted their trees down with an ax and a U.S. Forest Service permit are also finding that they can skip the cold and the drive and still support Colorado forestry efforts.
From Broomfield,
Dan and
Jennifer James found their way to Smith's farm lot on 75th Street, taking along their kids and parents, who were moving back to Colorado after living in Largo, Fla., for a number of years.
"It spared me stumbling around in the snow," Dan James said.
Christmas tree retailers participating in the Colorado Forest Products program:
www.coloradoforestproducts.org
Boulder County:
Colorado Native Christmas Trees, two locations
3375 75th Street, Boulder, farm located several hundred yards north of Valmont Road on 75th.
29thStreet Mall, Boulder, northeast corner of 29th and Walnut streets, near Macy's
Times: From Nov. 23 to Christmas Eve. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Info: Boulder County's longest-running native Christmas tree stand with about 1,500 native forest trees to pick from, including Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, spruce and sub-alpine fir. Reindeer and other holiday fun at the 75th Street farm. For further information, call Tony Smith at 970-275-4852
Big M trees, two locations
Lafayette: Southwest corner of 95th St. (Colorado 42) and Arapaho Road.
Boulder: Corner of 30th and Pearl streets, east of Pollard Motors.
From Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.
Info: Trees include local Douglas fir and lodgepole pine as well as white or balsam fir from southern Colorado forests. For further information, call 303-449-2240.
Nederland: Miner's Museum, located on the traffic circle in the center of town, the intersection of Colorado 119 and 72. Weekend of Dec. 1 and 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Possibly weekend of Dec. 8 and 9.
Info: The Boy Scouts will cutting the trees from a nearby private forest holding and will be manning the lot. For further information, call Douglas Hintzman at 303-258-3136.
Larimer County
Loveland: Don Hass Multiple Sclerosis Organization
Near Kmart at the southeast corner of N. Wilson Ave. and Colorado 34.
From Nov. 23 through Dec. 9, Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Info: This organization has been selling native trees in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for 17 years. All proceeds go to that organization to support local efforts. For further information, call Don Hass at 970-669-3032.
Loveland: Summerhill Tree Farm.
In Quillan Gulch, 13 miles west of Loveland.
Info: Cut your own Christmas tree from this certified Colorado Forest. Variety of sizes and species including white and Douglas fir, Engelman and blue spruce, lodgepole and ponderosa pine. Contact Steven Goodroad at 970-669-1238 for an appointment and directions.
Estes Park: Boy Scouts of America Troop 8 at Estes Park Lumber, 7400 S. St. Vrain Ave.
Tree sales begin on Nov. 23 during normal business hours.
Info: The Boy Scouts who cut these trees man the tree lot from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
Estes Park: Aspen Lodge, 6120 Hwy. 7 Estes Park, 7 1/2 miles south of Estes Park on Colorado 7 between Allenspark and Estes Park.
Info: Get a free hayride (for up to five people in a family) with the purchase of tree, including hot chocolate by the fire. Hayrides not including a tree purchase are $5 for children and $10 for adults. Reservations are recommended. Call 1-800-332-MTNS or 970-577-3402 for further information and reservations.