Cut Down a Christmas Tree in Thurston County

u-cut christmas tree
The perfect tree, cut at Hunter’s Family Farm.
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By Katie Doolittle

south sound trucksWhen I comb through memories of childhood holidays, one image pleasantly repeats: my family’s annual pilgrimage to the local Christmas tree farm. We always started with a humorous competition to identify the most inappropriate tree possible (think gargantuan behemoth or sad little snag). And our outing always ended rather abruptly after my brother and I began pushing each other into the wet trees and then whining about the chill.

But whether adorable or obnoxious, I treasure all of these remembered rituals. It’s therefore no surprise that my own little family continues to favor U-Cut Christmas trees. As my children grow older, I look forward to putting a new spin on the tradition.

If you’re hoping to start a tree-cutting tradition of your own, a positive experience requires a bit of pre-planning. First and foremost: always dress for cold, wet, and muddy conditions. Need a holiday photo? Throw on some Santa hats, too! Generally speaking, assume the farm will provide handsaws and twine. Finally, plan to pay with cash or check unless otherwise noted.

u-cut christmas tree
Holiday hats are a great idea, as in this snapshot from Ames Christmas Tree Farm.

The list below offer a wide range of tree-cutting experiences. With so many options, you’re sure to find a farm that meets your family’s needs!

Trees, Plus Holiday Happenings

If you want some (jingle) bells and whistles to augment your tree-cutting experience, visit one of these three farms… and come on the weekend. Yes, you’ll have to brave bigger crowds. But this is when farms offer their full range of activities. Each one offers wagon rides, Santa visits, refreshments, and holiday boutiques. Check their websites for further details, and find out about unique aspects of each farm below.

Clyde ‘n Dale’s Holiday Trees and Gifts (10712 Tracie Court SW, Olympia – off Delphi Road) is perfect for horse lovers. Bob and Dutch, two Palomino Percherons, pull a trolley through this 10-acre family farm. There are four varieties of fir available, ranging in price from $29 to $49. The 2014 season lasts from November 28 through December 21, Friday through Sunday only. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Unique amenities include live music and an on-site BBQ truck. Check the website for details, or email dewey681@hotmail.com. Phone: 360-480-0515 or 360-352-8733.

u-cut christmas tree
The perfect tree, cut at Hunter’s Family Farm.

Hunter’s Family Farm (7401 Yelm Highway, Olympia) boasts four types of fir and two varieties of spruce, with prices ranging from $4.25 to $7.25 per foot. No checks, but credit cards fine for purchases over $5. Be sure to visit the real, live reindeer while you’re here! Open from November 28 through December 23, weekday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They open at 9:00 a.m. on weekends. Email hunterfamilyfarm@gmail.com or call 360-456-0466.

Schilter Family Farm (141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE, Olympia) is the place to go if you want your tree flocked with artificial snow. All Douglas firs are $29.99. Nobles, Frasers, and Grands are priced by the foot. This farm hosts a lighted Nativity in their 140-year-old barn. Check their Facebook page for details and coupons. Phone: 360-459-4023.

Just the Trees, Please! 

If you want a basic and budget-friendly option, consider the following list. Less stimuli makes for a laidback tree-hunting experience.

u-cut christmas tree
Hunting for “the one” at Sprouffske Trees. Photo courtesy of Katie Velazquez.

Ames Christmas Tree Farm (4115 Baker Ames Road NE, Olympia) is an excellent locale for tree-cutting if you hope to bring your dog (just bear in mind that other customers may also have pooches along for the adventure). Noble firs cost $25, Grand firs are $20, and Douglas firs are $15. There are also $15 wreaths for sale. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, through Christmas Eve. This family-run farm usually opens before Thanksgiving; check their Facebook page for an exact date. Phone: 360-357-3155 or 360-943-3216.

Beaver Creek Tree Farms (1647 Beaver Creek Dr SW in Olympia) is a small mom-and-pop farm that grows Cultured Nobles that are hand trimmed.  Wreaths and custom rustic crafts round out the farm’s offerings.  Hot cider is on the stove and the owner’s grandson is frequently nearby with a candy cane.  Trees range from 5 – 15 feet and are all priced at $30.  Find more details on their Facebook page.

Black Lake Trees U-Cut (Delphi Road at 62nd Avenue SW, Olympia) provides over 20 wheelchair-accessible acres studded with trees of all sizes. Varieties available for cutting include firs (Noble, Douglas, Grand, and Fraser) as well as spruce (blue and green). They also sell wreaths, swags, and pre-cut trees. Prices start at $20 for Douglas firs. Credit cards are a payment option here. Open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to dusk. Monday through Thursday, it’s 2:00 p.m. to dusk. Phone: 360-866-4125.

tenino christmas tree
Jensen’s U-Cut tree farm opened in 1997 at the Riverbend Ranch in Tenino.

Campbell Family Christmas Trees (1 1/2 miles north of Littlerock off Littlerock Road on Gifford Road) grow their trees 100% naturally.  Their trees are not sheared, nor sprayed or treated with any fertilizers or pesticides.  Families (and dogs) are welcome.  Wander through several patches of trees.  Trees are U-Cut, but assistance is on-site to help with cutting trees as needed.  If you want try cutting your tree, there are a couple antique saws available for use, or you can bring your own saw.  Open on weekends from December 6 through December 21 from 9:00 a.m. to dusk.

Cetak Family Christmas Tree Farm (6648 – 41st Ave NW, Olympia) is nestled in the tight-knit Steamboat Island community.  Charlie Cetak spends his summer aboard a salmon fishing boat.  In the off season, he decided to start a tree farm.  Read a complete story about the family-run operation here. Open Fridays through Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to dusk.

Christmas Valley Tree Farm (11540 – 183rd Avenue SW, Rochester) offers ten varieties of trees, ranging in height from three to fifteen feet. Don Tapio, proprietor, is a knowledgeable horticulturalist who prides himself on his selection. His trees are also beautifully groomed. The farm opens on Thanksgiving Day and closes on Christmas. Daily hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 360-273-6196

u-cut christmas tree
Sprouffske Trees, located in Rainier, opens the day after Thanksgiving.

Olympic National Forest provides the purest form of tree-hunting! Drive out to the woods and hike about until you find a good tree. For this option, you do need to bring your own saw and twine. Also, obtaining a $5 permit ahead of time is key. As there are multiple points of entry to the forest, it is not included on the map below. Click here for details on the permit process. Phone: 360-956-2300.

Riverbend Ranch (3624 Skookumchuck Road SW, Tenino) may be known for their natural, grass-fed beef but during the holiday season, the family-run farm also welcomes people to the ranch to cut down a Christmas tree.  Jensen’s U-Cut first opened in 1997.  You can visit with the whole Jensen family when you stop by to cut your tree.  Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to dusk.  For driving directions, click here.

Sprouffske Trees (14020 Finian Road SE, Rainier) planted their first seedling back in 1965. In addition to three types of Christmas trees, this family-run farm also sells fresh wreaths and swags. Trees priced by variety: Noble and Grand firs are $35, while Douglas firs cost $25. You can use credit cards here. The farm opens the day after Thanksgiving, remaining open through Christmas Eve. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Email: info@sprouffsketrees.com. Phone: 360-446-2212.  Read a full story about Sprouffske Trees here.

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