Dear PoP – Where Do You Get Reasonably Priced Christmas Trees?

by Prince Of Petworth November 30, 2008 at 10:07 pm 20 Comments

“Can you poll your readers for places to get a reasonably priced Christmas tree in the area (preferably in walking distance of Columbia heights)? Perhaps, one from an eco-friendly farm.”

There are a few recommendations in the forum section. I also know many people support the Garden District at 14th and S. But does anyone know where to get some from an eco-friendly farm? What’s an eco-friendly Christmas tree farm anyway? One where they replant the trees that they cut down?

cupcake

I don’t know about eco-friendly, but I like to buy from a local school who could really use the money. Many of the DC Public Schools have tree lots manned by parents. Profits go directly to programs like art and music and teacher training.

Oyster Bilingual holds one at the school on Calvert Street across from teh Omni Shoreham.
Anonymous

Bancroft Elementary at 1755 Newton St NW (in Mt Pleasant) is selling trees December 6 and 7.
Anonymous

I just saw some signs around Mt Pleasant for the Bancroft Elementary School Christmas tree sale. It’s 10-4 on Dec 6 and 7. They’ll also be selling wreaths. Kids can make a free ornament. For $5 they’ll deliver a tree within the neighborhood.
Sounds like a great way to support a local public school.
Neener

Get your tree from Bancroft, they’re good trees and they need the money. They’re at 18th and Newton Sts
eric in ledroit

all christmas tree farms replant their trees once harvested. i don’t think any are more or less eco-friendly than any others – christmas tree farming generally is pretty eco friendly farming since they sit there for years and years providing habitat while they grow.
Nikki

Garden District will deliver their trees too. They have a nice selection of big trees but I like to get the mini trees they have, they are perfect for small apartments.
MT

Dupont Farmers’ Market
Anonymous

My family owns an X-mas tree farm in Central PA – sorry, too far to travel to, but I wanted to note that in terms of eco-friendliness, you could ask the seller what type of pesticides they use on the trees, as some are more eco-friendly than others. Also, some trees (mostly scoth pines) are actually sprayed with dye to give them that deep green color. you could also ask if and what type of dye they use. And to confirm what eric in ledroit noted above, the trees are indeed replaced every year by new trees or the business wouldn’t survive. happy tree hunting!
e

there’s an elementary school in Mt. Pleasant … I’m short on details… that has reasonably priced trees that benefit the school. I don’t know about their environmental footprint, but I’d say it’s a good way to get your tree and help out a neighborhood school, within walking distance.

Here’s an environmental question for everyone: anyone know the carbon footprint/actual environmental difference between getting an artificial tree, and keeping it for a few years, and getting a real tree every year? You know, shipping, energy, natural resources, water quality impacts of one versus the other?
Just curious.
Anon5

There is a huge tree on the south lawn of the White House that is just waiting to have the top lopped off. And as a special bonus, it comes with a crapton of secret service agents at your front door for ‘caroling.’
Anonymous

If you want to be eco-friendly, don’t buy a cut tree. I never understood the concept of cutting down a healthy tree, letting it die in your house and then filling a landfill somewhere.
Christina

I put out my tree to be mulched at the end of the season. I don’t think of Christmas trees as much different than corn or wheat. Though you’re right that disposing of them in a landfill is not optimal.

I don’t have a fake tree because I’d have nowhere to store it during the non-Christmas season.
cupcake

And it doesn’t smell as good!
14th and RIA

For me, Whole Foods was most convenient. $50 for a very nice 8′ Frasier Fir with stand
Anonymous

::sighs:: Really, do we need to discuss eco-friendly and Christmas in the same post? I feel like asking a question like that is just done to be preachy. I have to agree the comment that if you want to be eco-friendly, don’t by a cut tree.
IMGoph

check out old city green in shaw.
Tim

Does anyone have definite details on the Bancroft sale. I haven’t seen any signs around MtP and haven’t heard anything about it. its also not on dc.gov calendar – is it definitely happening?
vermont ave

New York Avenue has a plant store that sells trees and wreaths now. They are WAY cheaper than the rip-offs at Garden District and 9th and N St. We went to all three today. 9 foot tree at NY Ave: $90. 9 foot tree at Garden District: $200!!! 9th and N is just as expensive if not more so. Here’s a map for NY ave: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=&daddr=38.917475,-76.978884&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=38.917518,-76.978814&sspn=0.001941,0.004828&g=Washington,+DC&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18
Nichole

My 9′ tree last year was $45 at Home Depot. Eastern Market, Fragers and the NY Ave place (which I love) are all more convenient, but the price at Home Depot can’t be beat. I will be again crossing the river this week to buy my tree.
Nichole

Just got back from dinner and a stop at the Eastern Market Christmas tree lot. While I did not buy (though, they had a gorgeous 11′ foot tree, beautifully straight, round and full that would have looked great in my living room but was $220) they had a 9′ tree that the gentleman was offering to give me for $100. Still not as cheap as Home Depot (in VA – past experience has indicated not to even bother with the one off of Rhode Island Ave.), but the quality was probably better. They also had table top sized trees for $20, which seemed reasonable to me.

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