For Freshest, Longest-Lasting Yule Trees, Get Out To A Forest Or Tree Farm And Do Your Own … Christmas Chopping

Christmas after Christmas, tree-buyers swear they’ll no longer settle for a brittle, not-so-fresh lot-bought Christmas tree that usually winds up D.O.A.

Perhaps you’ve brought home one of these trees: an eight-foot piece of kindling that has more needles on the floor and on Christmas presents than on the actual branches.

Not that tree lots don’t offer fresh trees, some of them do. Many, however, seem to have chopped down their pines and spruces in September.

A fresh, vibrant, exuberant tree is the cornerstone of a good Christmas. Without one, you might as well have a tumbleweed sitting in your living room.

So people make a pact: “We’re going to do what they did in the old days, hike up a snowy mountainside, bond with the elements and locate the perfect needle-thick holiday companion.”

Christmas enthusiasts don’t have to go to such extremes just to find a suitable tree. The Inland Northwest is teeming with Christmas tree farms where you can still harvest a fresh tree and be one with the elements. But you can leave the compass and the saw at home.

In addition, U-cut tree farms generally grow a wide variety of tree species. Pines, spruces and firs are the most common.

The tree farms supply cutters with all the necessary tools and pointers for selecting trees. In most cases, they even provide some extras to make the trip even more worthwhile like hot chocolate, warming fires and sleigh rides. The average price for trees is about $25.

Here some of the area’s U-cut Christmas tree farms:

Camden Ranch Christmas Trees, 1521 Willms Road, Elk, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 292-2543.

Dietz U-Cut Christmas Trees in Colbert, 238-6975. Call ahead for hours.

Green Bluff Christmas Tree Farm, 8022 E. Green Bluff Road, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 238-4067 or 238-6742.

Santa’s Tree Farm, 538 W. Sumner, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today through Sunday, 838-9891.

Summerlin Christmas Trees, 35015 N. Dalton Road, Deer Park, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 276-6540.

Sunwest Farms, 21113 W. Sunwest Ave., Medical Lake, 9 a.m.-dark daily, 299-5300.

The Agidius Farm, Moscow, Idaho, noon to dark today and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-dark Sunday, (208) 882-4448. Trees here start at $10.

Still if you believe the only way to make up for all those years you brought home a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and pluck one from the real forest, the U.S. Forest Service in both Washington and Idaho offers permits. It’s also cheaper to harvest trees in the forest. The permits are available at Forest Service district and main offices, open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although normally closed weekends, during the Christmas tree cutting season, some offices may offer extended hours so call ahead.

The offices will give cutters maps, road closure information, tree identification brochures and cutting guidelines.

Colville National Forest

Permits for the Colville National Forest ($5 per tree) or the Idaho Panhandle ($3 per tree) are available from:

U.S. Forest Service Information Office, 400 S. Jefferson, Room 206, Spokane; 353-2574.

Colville Ranger District, Colville, Wash., 684-4557.

Kettle Falls Ranger District, Colville, Wash., 684-4557.

Newport Ranger District, Newport, Wash., (509) 447-3129.

Republic Ranger District, Republic, Wash., 9509) 775-3305.

Sullivan Lake Ranger District, Metaline Falls, Wash., (509) 446-2681.

Idaho forests

Panhandle National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreibner Way, Coeur d’Alene.

Clearwater National Forest, Orofino, Idaho.

Hours for both offices are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Only Idaho permits ($3) are available.

Before heading off into the great outdoors, measure the dimensions of the tree your home can accommodate.

Also, dress appropriately. There’s snow on the ground in most areas. If you’re tramping through the woods, you might be searching for a couple of hours. Wear winter clothing and bring a change of dry clothes.

Bring food and water.

In the forest, obviously cutters will have to supply their own saws. Remember to bring ample rope to tie down the tree and an old blanket and tarp to wrap it, especially if you plan on tying it to the top of your vehicle where mud from the road will coat it on the way home. It’s tough to give trees a shower this time of year.

What to look for in a tree

Before taking the saw blade to the tree’s trunk, check the ground around the base of the tree. It shouldn’t be littered with debris. Some is OK, though.

Although trees might have dead needles within, it doesn’t mean the tree’s unhealthy. It’s just not getting much light. Clear out the dead needles by shaking it vigorously.

Limbs shouldn’t be brittle.

The tree should have a rich hue of green, not brown.

The tree should have a fresh fragrance that screams “Here comes Santa Claus.” A fragrance so robust that it will fill the house or apartment.

When you get home, give your tree a good shake again to dislodge any remaining dead needles. Also, make a fresh cut a quarterinch above the original cut on the trunk. This will remove any sap or debris that built up during the drive home and allow the tree to better absorb water.

Until you’re ready to erect the tree, store it in a cool, shaded area such as in a garage or on a porch. This will guard the tree from constant sun and wind exposure.

Place the tree in a stand that holds at least two quarts of water. Water the tree regularly. They can drink up to a gallon of water every day. If the water level dips below the base of the tree’s trunk, a layer of sap can build up. Once the sap forms a barrier on the tree’s base, your tree will be choked off and will rapidly dry out.

For safety, keep the tree away from direct heat or power sources such as a heater, a wood stove, a fireplace or electronic appliances. When the holidays are over, recycle your tree.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo