Viewpoint: The Perfect Tree

?? I don’t remember the first year that we cut our own Christmas tree. I know it was a number of years before we moved back to Colorado in 2005. We lived in Eugene, Oregon and there were Christmas tree farms everywhere.

?? Our family jumped into the car, armed with a saw, and headed for the farm of our choice. We would wander around for quite a long period of time and go from tree to tree. About the time you found the perfect tree another member of the family would spot a better one and the merits of each one would be discussed.

?? “But look it has a hole on this side,” one family member would point out, while another would notice the branch on top that was perfect for a star. You were surrounded by the pungent smell of pine and kept moving pretty quickly, not because of the cold in Oregon, for it was a rather mild place, but because you didn’t want another family to get the perfect tree.

?? We continued the tradition when we moved back to Colorado. The tree farm was replaced by the vastness of the forest. Armed with canisters of hot chocolate, a permit to cut a tree, saws and axes, bungee cords and ropes, we would venture off.

?? ?The nice flat area of the Oregon tree farm was replaced by trudging through various quantities of snow. The electric flood lights of the tree farm were replaced by a certain sense of urgency as the sun would begin to set behind the Rocky Mountains.

?? ?The $20 permit was a bargain compared to the tree farm prices and a steal compared to the tree lot prices in Colorado.

?? ?In 2018, the average price for a real Christmas tree was $78, while the average price for a fake tree was $104. In 2022, 22.34 million real Christmas trees were purchased in the U.S. at a median price of $80. In 2023 those prices went up by 10% and in 2024 tree prices in a lot continue to rise, from 10 to 15%.

?? ?Artificial trees can range from about $85 to $1,000, or more. According to the American Christmas Tree Association, in a 2023 survey, 52% of artificial Christmas tree owners purchased their tree for under $200, and 27% paid $200-$400.

?? My wife, Lori, describes the annual trek to find a Christmas tree as the thing that she looks forward to the most about the Christmas season.

?? As our family expanded to include grandchildren, it was no longer as simple as jumping in one car and having to sift through four opinions of the perfect tree. The number of active votes now numbers up to nine and each vote is passionate regardless of the age of the person casting it.

?? ?After the selection of the tree, it was up to dad to cut the tree. A manly sort of contribution to the family holiday. As my son grew older and stronger we jockeyed for the honor of chopping down the family tree but youth prevailed. My son-in-law entered the picture and now dad, aka grandpa, has gradually slipped into the role of supervisor. This year my 11-year-old granddaughter wanted to drag the tree we cut down the mountain.

?? This year we actually did both. We found a great deal on a permanent tree. We loved it and we were tempted by the ease. We put it up and it was so easy, and so clean and so neat. About an hour after the perfect, beautiful, flawless tree was up, we looked at each other and agreed, “It’s not the same.”

?? Since we also cut a tree, we’re still deciding where to locate it. Lori said that of all the trees we’ve cut it might be the best ever. And I have to say, I miss checking the water every morning and smelling the pine, and ……. next year the fake tree may stay in the box. Time will tell.