Getting the tree

By JONETTA ROSE COFFIN

Herald Writer

Theories about the origin of the Christmas tree abound, but the earliest tale dates back to ancient Germany, when a British monk and missionary, St. Boniface, presented the story of the Nativity to a group of Germanic Druids near the town of Geismar.

Determined to convince the pagans that the oak tree was not sacred, the saint felled one very large tree during his sermon. As it toppled, the giant oak crushed every smaller tree and shrub in its path, except for one tiny fir sapling.

Legend has it that St. Boniface then declared the little tree’s survival a miracle and intoned, “Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child.”

Thereafter, many Germans celebrated Christmas by planting fir saplings.

The claim that German immigrants brought the Christmas tree tradition to America sometime in the 17th century is undisputed, and it is in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree is first mentioned in the New World.

Today, the Christmas tree is an integral part of the holiday season for most Americans, and with Thanksgiving dinner now under our belts – literally – it’s time to think about getting the tree.

The following list of Snohomish County tree farms will help you find the perfect tree for the holidays.

Many of the farms offer such additional services and attractions as U-cut, fresh-cut and assisted-cut trees; wreaths, swags, cut boughs, cones and holly; living and flocked trees; refreshments and picnicking; and gifts and decorations.

You can even visit with Santa Claus and take hay wagon rides on the weekends at some locations.

Alan Acres Tree Farm, 360-629-3877, 27314 36th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. Take I-5 exit 212, turn west toward Stanwood, then turn right on 36th Avenue NW and go 1/2 mile. Douglas, noble and grand fir, spruce.

Alder Ridge Ranch, 360-403-0797, 30520 379th Ave. NE. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Dec. 24. Twenty-two miles east of Arlington on Highway 530, 3/10 of a mile past 43-mile marker, turn left on 379th and travel 3/10 of a mile. Noble, grand and Douglas fir, Norway spruce.

Bowen Tree Farm, 360-435-9260, 19301 95th Ave. NE, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends through Dec. 17. Arlington exit 208 off I-5, east on Highway 530 4 miles, south on Highway 9 3/4 mile, east on Highland five blocks, south on Burn Road 1 mile, north on 95th 100 feet. Grand, noble and Fraser fir, spruce.

Christmas Tree Lane U-Cut Christmas Trees, 360-435-3748, 22816 67th Ave. NE, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily until Christmas. From Arlington take Highway 9 north, cross Haller Bridge, turn left on Schloman Road and follow signs. Grand, noble, Douglas and Shasta fir, Norway spruce.

Farmer Brown’s Tree Farm, 360-659-6686, 12017 109th Ave. NE, Arlington. Open daylight hours daily through Dec. 20. I-5 exit 199 (Marysville), take Fourth Street (Highway 528) east, Highway 9 north to 84th Street NE, east to 99th Avenue NE, north to 124th Street NE, follow signs (6 miles south of Arlington). Douglas, grand, noble, Shasta and Fraser fir, Colorado blue and Norway spruce.

Fish Creek Tree Farm, 360-652-9030, Sill Road and 188th NE, Arlington. Open 10 a.m. to dusk through Dec. 21. I-5 exit 206, west 2 miles on Lakewood Road, right 3/4 mile on Sill Road. Douglas, grand, Fraser and noble fir, spruce and pine.

Holiday Forest, 360-435-4124, 3624 Stanwood-Bryant Road, Arlington. Open noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 16. I-5 exit 212 (Camano Island exit), drive east 3 1/2 miles, farm on right. Douglas, noble and Fraser fir.

Jordan Valley Ranch Nursery, 360-691-6447, 13528 Jordan Road, Arlington. Open 10 a.m. to dusk daily until Christmas. Farm is about 3 miles from Granite Falls on the Jordan Road. Grand, noble and Fraser fir, French blue Scotch pine (larger trees, 10 feet and over, available).

Kiss Kringle’s Christmas Trees, 360-659-6036, 3 1/2 miles east of Arlington on Jordan Road. Open 10 a.m. to dark daily. Take exit 208 from I-5, head east on Highway 530 toward Darrington, turn right 1/2 mile out of Arlington onto Arlington Heights Road, travel one mile, turn right onto Jordan Road, follow signs two miles to the farm. Fraser, noble and grand fir.

Morton Tree Farm, 360-652-8278, 2324 172nd St. NE, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily through Dec. 24. Take exit 206 off I-5 and travel west 3/4 mile, farm is on left-hand side of 172nd Street heading toward Lakewood. Douglas, Shasta and grand fir.

Mountain Bluegrass Tree Farm, 425-487-3447, 14623 Highway 530 NE, Arlington. Open 10 a.m. to dark Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. Take I-5 exit 208, go east on Highway 530 through Arlington, 6 miles east of Arlington on Highway 530, farm on left. Douglas, grand, noble and Fraser fir, Norway spruce.

Muskrat Flats Tree Farm, 360-652-9184, 501 Pioneer Highway, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily through Dec. 24. I-5 exit 208 left to Silvana, 2 miles from freeway, last house on right before crossing Stillaguamish River. Noble, grand, Fraser, concolor and Douglas fir.

Outback Christmas Tree Farm, 360-403-7474, 10030 Highway 530 NE, Arlington. Open daily through Dec. 23. Take Arlington exit off I-5, farm is 2 1/2 miles east of Arlington on Highway 530. Douglas, Fraser, noble and grand fir, Norway spruce.

Paterson’s Lazy Acres Tree Farm, 360-652-7661, 1315 188th St. NE, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to dusk (4:30 p.m.) daily through Dec. 22. Take I-5 exit 206, go west to 19th Avenue, turn right to 188th Street NE, turn left, go 1/4 mile, on right. Douglas, grand, Fraser and noble fir, Norway spruce.

Pilchuck Secret Valley Christmas Tree Farm, 360-435-9799 (farm message), 360-659-4300 (residence), 9533 Mose Road, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through Dec. 16. Take I-5 exit 208 east to Arlington, turn left on Route 9 North, go 1 mile and turn right on Lake Armstrong road, go straight for 1 mile, follow signs. Douglas, grand, noble, Turkish, Neiko, Korean and Fraser fir, spruce and pine.

Stehr Homestead Farm, 360-691-6053 or 425-377-0220, 14501 Stehr Road, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Christmas. Seven miles from Arlington on Burn Road to Stehr Road; five miles from Granite Falls on Burn Road to Stehr Road; watch for signs. Good selection of large noble firc.

South Fork Christmas Tree Farm, 360-435-4884, 8312 Arlington Heights Road, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to dark daily through Dec. 23. Take Highway 530 from Arlington, head east 1/2 mile, turn right on first road (Arlington Heights Road), farm is first driveway on right. Douglas, noble, grand, Nordmann, Fraser, lowland white and balsam fir, Norway spruce.

Tannenbaum Tree Farm, 360-435-5646, 23207 115th NE, Arlington. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends through Dec. 17. Take I-5 exit 208, go east on Highway 530 toward Darrington, 1/4 mile beyond Arlington, turn right onto Arlington Heights Road, go 2 3/10 miles, turn left on 115th Avenue, farm 1/4 mile on right. Grand, noble and Fraser fir, Norway spruce.

The Tree Farm, 360-629-7621 or 360-349-2830 (cell), 3000 269th NW, Stanwood. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 24. Take I-5 exit 212, go west toward Stanwood, turn right on 28th Avenue NW, left on 268th NW. Grand and noble fir.

Whispering Firs &Apple Creek Junction, 360-435-7180 or 509-522-2286, 16916 Jim Creek Road, Arlington. Open 8 a.m. to dusk daily. I-5 to Island Crossing exit (U.S. 530) through Arlington toward Darrington, 3 miles out of Arlington turn right on Jim Creek Road, 3 miles to farm. Noble, grand, Douglas and Fraser fir.

Busy “B,” 360-659-9227, 6117 83rd Ave. NE, East Marysville-Lake Stevens, Everett. Open 9 a.m. to dark through Dec. 23. Take I-5 exit 199 (Marysville) east on Fourth Street through town, up hill to 83rd Avenue NE, turn right. From Highway 9, turn west on Highway 528 (Fourth Street), turn left at first intersection (83rd Avenue NE). Douglas, grand and noble fir.

Royal Tree Farm, 360-659-3019, 8111 84th St. NE, Marysville. Open daylight hours daily. From I-5 take exit 200 onto 88th Street NE, east 2 miles to second four-way stop, turn right on 67th Avenue for one short block to 84th Street NE, left up hill to farm on left. Noble and Douglas fir, pine and Norway spruce.

Shular Firetrail Firs, 360-652-2395, Second Avenue NE at Firetrail Road, Marysville. Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily until sold out. Take exit 202 off I-5, head west over I-5 to 34th Avenue NE, turn right on 34th Avenue, travel 1 1/3 miles to 136th Street NE, turn left on 136th and travel for 2 1/4 miles to Second Avenue NE, turn left to parking. Noble, Douglas, grand and Fraser fir.

Slenkamp Christmas Tree Farm, 360-652-8578, Marine Drive at Sunnyshores Road, Marysville. Open daylight hours daily until Dec. 24. Take I-5 exit 199 (Marysville), head west on Marine Drive (Tulalip Road) 11 1/2 miles, watch for signs. Douglas, grand and noble fir, blue spruce.

Sunnyside Acres Christmas Tree Farm, 425-334-2382, 4212 83rd Ave. NE, Everett (east of Marysville). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. From I-5 take Marysville-Tulalip exit, go east 2 miles on Fourth Street (Highway 528), turn right at 67th Avenue and follow signs to the farm. From Highway 9: turn west on Soper Hill Road and follow signs (1 mile). Douglas, grand, balsam, Fraser, Korean, Shasta, Nordmann and noble fir.

Campbell’s Tree Farm, 360-568-5187 or 360-568-2720, 12219 Springhetti Road, Snohomish. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily until sold out. From Highway 405, take Monroe exit to Highway 9, travel north about 6 miles, turn right at stop light (131st Avenue SE), then take next left on Springhetti Road, about 1/2 mile. Douglas, Pacific Silver (noble), Fraser, balsam and grand fir, Norway and Colorado blue spruce.

Candler’s Christmas Trees, 360-805-5669, 27115 Old Owen Road, Monroe. Open 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Farm is 5 miles east of Monroe on Old Owen Road. Noble, Fraser and grand fir, Norway spruce.

Deb’s U-Cut Christmas Trees, 360-568-0734, 13428 Shorts School Road, Snohomish. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. From downtown Snohomish, take Lincoln Street south, follow signs, turn right on Shorts School Road, keep to the left when road Y’s, then travel 1/4 mile to tree farm. Grand, Fraser, concolor and noble fir, Norway spruce.

Holiday Hill Tree Farm, 360-793-9791, 31805 124th St. SE, Sultan. Open 9 a.m. to dark daily, except closed Monday, until sold out. Go through Sultan on U.S. 2, go north on Sultan Basin Road, travel 1 1/2 miles to 124th Street SE, turn left and travel about 1/4 mile to driveway, follow signs. Douglas and noble fir.

K&M Tree Farm, 425-334-3337, 7214 61st Ave. SE, Snohomish. Open daily through Dec. 24. From I-5, take Snohomish U.S. 2 exit, travel 3/4 mile to Home Acres Road, turn right, follow signs to farm. From U.S. 2, take Bickford Avenue to Bickford Ford Motors, turn west to Fobes Store, turn left on Skipley Road, follow signs to farm. From Highway 9 (north), take Snohomish exit, turn left at stop sign, follow signs to farm. Douglas, grand, noble, white and Fraser fir, pine.

Leckvold’s Alpine Acres, 425-334-2402, 3729 Menzel Lake Road, Granite Falls. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through Dec. 17. In Granite Falls turn right (south) at first stoplight, go three blocks, turn left (east) at Medical Clinic onto Menzel Lake Road, 5 miles to farm on left. Noble, grand and Douglas fir, Austrian pine.

Lervik’s Tree Farm – Getchell, 360-691-5238, corner of Highway 92 and 84th Street NE (Getchell Road), Granite Falls. Open 9 a.m. to dusk weekends beginning Dec. 2. Take Highway 9 to Highway 92, go east 6 miles toward Granite Falls to 84th Street NE. Douglas and Fraser fir.

Lervik’s Tree Farm – Lochsloy, 360-691-5238, 4 miles east of Highway 9 on Highway 92 (Granite Falls Highway). Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily. Noble, grand, Fraser and Douglas fir, Norway spruce.

Park Avenue Firs, 360-568-4028, 2125 Park Ave., Snohomish. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19. From U.S. 2 turn south onto Highway 9, then turn left onto 56th Street SE at the Texaco station, follow 56th Street SE for about 1 1/10 miles, farm is on left, two houses past Cascade View Elementary School. Noble fir.

Reade Christmas Tree Ranch, 360-568-3282, 7606 171st Ave. SE, Snohomish. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays and Sundays until sold out. North from U.S. 2 on Westwick Road (South 100th Street), road becomes 171st Avenue SE, turn left at power lines. Douglas, grand, Fraser and noble fir, spruce.

St. Nick’s Trees, 360-794-5647, 25411 74th Place SE, Monroe. Open noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until sold out. Take U.S. 2 to Monroe, turn north at Taco Time on Woods Creek Road, follow signs 7 miles to farm. Douglas, Fraser and noble fir.

Tree Patch Tree Farm, 360-691-5927, 5029 Robe-Menzel Road, Granite Falls. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through Dec. 10. From Granite Falls, turn south on Granite Avenue (at the blinking light in town), travel 3 miles out of town on Robe-Menzel Road to farm. From Monroe, take Woods Creek Road (at Taco Time) north to Lake Roesiger, turn right. After about 4 miles, veer left onto Carpenter Road and at the Y, stay right on Robe-Menzel Road, travel 2 miles to farm, watch for signs.

Westby Tree Farm, 425-337-2863, 4508 156th St. SE. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 through Dec. 17. Turn east off Bothell-Everett Highway at Mill Creek Plaza, turn right (south) on 35th Avenue, then left onto 156th Street and go 3/4 mile to farm. Douglas, Fraser, grand and Nordman fir.

Wintergreen Tree Farm, 425-334-8899, 13606 S. Machias Road, Snohomish. Open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. In Snohomish, from Second Street and Maple Avenue, go north out of town on Maple Avenue (becomes Snohomish-Machias Road), after about 5 miles, there is a stop sign at Centennial Trail, turn right onto South Machias Road, farm is 1/2 mile north on the right. Douglas, Fraser, grand and noble fir, pine and Norway spruce.