Christmas tree lots sprout across High Desert

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, the next focus is, of course, Christmas! But have you had a chance to pick up your tree? Lots have popped up across the region in the past few days.

The tree has got to come from somewhere.

“Once the tree is the right size, all the guys will go out there, they’ll trim them, cut them down,” Christmas tree salesman Isaac Kruse said Tuesday.

But they are constantly being delivered.

“We bring trees over every two or three days,” said McKibben Womack, another salesman.

Over from the Valley, that is, where some of the best trees in the country are grown.

With Christmas tree lots in Bend of all different sizes, business is steady.

“On Friday, we got 1,500 trees between the three lots,” Kruse said.

“During the week, it’s slow, about 10 (tree sales a day), but on the weekends it’s upwards of 200,” Womack said.

But if you’re feeling a little behind, don’t worry. There are plenty to go around!

“Last year we sold right up to 5 o’clock on Christmas Eve,” Womack said.

The elves working the lots return year after year. Both salesmen have worked at their tree lots for almost 10 years.

They love it … for the most part.

“I can get sick of the music pretty quick, but just the season and everyone’s attitude — I don’t get sick of that,” Kruse said.

But the smiles make it all worthwhile.

“It’s a fun tradition, seeing them come on the lot, picking out their tree, take their picture, hanging around the fire and just talking. It’s just so fun having them come every year,” Womack said.

With Christmas trees comes holiday safety tips, and the Bend Fire Department wants to remind you to select, maintain and dispose of your Christmas tree responsibly.

Boy Scout Christmas Tree Recylcing: SW Bend 541-385-3977, NW Bend 541-385-2692, NE Bend 541-385-2672, SE Bend 541-385-3942

Curbside Yard Debris: Cut the tree down to three or four smaller pieces and put in your yard debris cart.

Deschutes County Solid Waste Facilities: Free tree disposal at ALL Deschutes County Solid Waste Facilities during January. For more information, call 541-317-3163