Christmas tree options
span from forests to lots
Local groups provide an array of ways
to find a Christmas tree this season
By Aimee Rudin
Freelance Editor
Maybe it's the scent that winds its way
through the house, becoming entangled in the
smells of baking and frozen winter breezes.
Maybe it's the lights twinkling among the
branches like stars fallen to earth.
Whatever it is, for millions of people
around the world, a Christmas tree embodies
the holiday season. And just like people, trees
come from different places in a variety of
shapes and sizes.
Some trees are short and dumpy, resembling
mushrooms more than evergreens. Others are
lanky, stretched out and long with branches that
look like they could hold up the heavens.
The finding of the tree is often a holiday tra
dition that varies from one household to anoth
er, and for many people where they get their tree
is just as important as what it looks like.
Many community groups, schools and or
ganizations sell trees in parking lots during
the holiday season to raise money for projects
and programs.
The O'Hara Catholic School, located at 715
W. 18th Ave., has been selling Christmas trees
in their parking lot for more than 20 years.
"We have the best Noble firs in town," Marie
O'Grady, a parent volunteer, said as she
reached out and grabbed a branch of a large
bushy tree. "You could go to every lot in town
and you won't see trees as perfect as these.
These branches will hold all your ornaments."
The O'Hara lot also sells Grand and Dou
glas firs, but O'Grady said Nobles are by far the
most popular tree.
"These trees have been groomed to have thick
branches," she said. "They come from a tree
farm where they are replenished every year."
Prices start at about $20 a tree and increase
with the size of the tree. All trees are accompa
nied by a coupon book valued at $50. Volun
teers bundle and load trees for buyers. There
are also heaters and hot cider on hand for any
one who might be chilled by holiday breezes.
Tree lots offer convenience and comfort, but
some holiday enthusiasts may want a little more
variety than what many lots have to offer.
Tree farms offer visitors a chance to pick out
and ait down their own tree without having to
conduct a forest-wide search. These farms are
often privately owned and managed by fami
lies who tend to the trees themselves.
At the Pepiot Tree Farm on Highway 126
just outside of Leaburg, Howard Pepiot and
his wife, Virginia, care for 1,200 trees. Each
year about 200 of their trees are cut during the
holiday season.
"Our season runs pretty much from the day
after Thanksgiving to a few days before Christ
mas," Pepiot said. "It seems like the weekend
before Christmas is always the last of the msh
for trees."
They grow five different varieties of fir trees
on the Pepiot farm: Nobles, Douglas, Frasier,
Nordman and Grand. However, only the No
bles, Douglas and a few of the Frasier firs are
ready to be cut this season.
"We replant each year," Pepiot said. "Most
people like the bigger trees so we have to give
them time to grow."
Douglas fir is the primary and often the
most popular tree at Pepiot's, but many peo
ple also favor the Noble. For people looking
for an alternative to a tree, or just a little more
holiday decoration, wreaths ranging in size
from about eight to 20 inches in diameter are
also available.
"We go up above 4,000 feet in mid-October
to get tlie boughs to make the wreaths with,"
Pepiot said. "They'll last until February; in fact
some people keep them hanging 'til Easter."
Wreaths vary in cost from about $ 14 to $20,
depending on size. Douglas fir trees cost $ 18
a piece regardless of size, and Nobles range in
price from $20 to $60.
The trees at tree lots and on farms are spe
cially grown for Christmas. This can result in
a somewhat homogenous look to the trees.
For a truly unique look, shoppers may want to
venture onto National Forest Land.
Christmas tree permits are for sale through
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Ser
vice for $5 a piece with a limit of five trees per
household. Pennits are specific to a certain area
and can be obtained at most ranger stations.
"When you go out to get your own tree, you
know it's fresh," said Greg Koester, a frontliner
at the Willamette National Forest Supervisor's
Turn to TREES, page 8C
SANTA
continued from page 5C
"We headed right back to find my living room
filled with presents. To this day, 1 still have no
explanation for this phenomenon."
Not all students have experienced Christmas
magic, however.
University senior Will Lowe learned Santa
Claus did not exist at a relatively young age,
and his views have not changed with age.
"My dad came into my room in the middle
of the night in a Santa suit and gave me a
present," Lowe said. "I found the suit in a bag
the next day."
Junior journalism major Erik Peterson re
ceived a direct explanation about the existence
of Santa from his father after a Christmas re
lated slip of the tongue.
"1 got a Sega Genesis, and I asked my par
ents for some money to get candy and my
Dad was like, 'What the heck, we just got you
a Sega'," he said. "I asked, 'I thought Santa
made it,' and he explained that Santa did not
really exist."
Aron Glatzer is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
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