720 Christmas Trees Go Fast, But You Still Have Time

It looked like a pine forest had shot up overnight in the lot on Woodward between the and Pearson Street. But it was just the same Christmas tree lot that has been coming there for nearly 20 years.

For the past 10 of those years, Jim West has been a lot supervisor, working with the trees and ensuring that all his customers enjoyed a pine-scented Christmas.

"We've got 720 trees, and we'll sell 'em all," he said.

Of those 720 trees, West expects the Scotch pines to be most popular.

"We'll probably sell 300 Scotch pines," he said. "It's a pretty tree, grows relatively fast, and it's inexpensive."

Trees priced from $30 to $90

Scotch pines, coming in at about $30, are the least expensive trees on the lot.

"When we're done, I bet the Scotch pines are first," West said. "With the economy the way it is, people are looking for the best value. And for 30 bucks, you can't go wrong."

West has other types of pines, too.

"The white pines have soft needles, and they run about $40. The balsams have stiffer and shorter needles, and they also run about $40," he said. "We also have Douglas firs for 50 to 60 bucks. Fraser firs run about $60 to $80. We even have some 10-footers for $90."

West said the tree lot collects close to $10,000 a season, all of which goes back to the First United Methodist Church.

"We start preparing in November, putting in the stakes, hanging the lights, digging post holes," he said. "It's labor-intensive."

West seems to know his pines, and he also has a little advice: "Last year, we were sold out on the 21st of December. So don't wait."