After a few hours out and about Sunday afternoon, we are convinced there is no better time to shop for a Christmas tree than a foggy afternoon, with the tree boughs glistening from the moisture left by the mist. Once again this year, we’re sampling prices. We don’t have an across-the-board comparison, since the various tree-sellers engage in different price-styles, from flat fees for a certain type in a certain height range, to per-tree labeled pricing, to per-tree “you gotta ask” pricing — but this might at least give you a little budgeting information, for starters. We intend to update this as tree season progresses in the next few weeks, and possibly to break out some side notes too (your options for living trees, for example). Anyway, here goes:
Reviewing the current West Seattle tree sellers alphabetically, here’s what we have found so far (if there’s a website for the seller, its name will be linked):
HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT
Location: South parking lot behind Admiral Safeway (map)
How it’s priced: Price sheets posted, with set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $25 for 5′-6′ Douglas Fir, $40 for 5′-6′ Grand Fir, $55 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir
Notes: 15% of proceeds go to local charities West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline, and Hickman House, with other proceeds supporting Holy Rosary School
HOME DEPOT
Location: Just west of Delridge, between Webster and Orchard/Sylvan (map)
How it’s priced: Set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $19 for 5 1/2′-7 1/2′ Douglas Fir, $32 for 5 1/2′-7 1/2′ Grand Fir, $29 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir
QFC
Location: Southeast side of Westwood Village (map)
How it’s priced: Set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $44 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir, $49 for 6′-7′ Noble Fir
Note: During Sunday visit, we saw only Noble firs in this small grouping of trees out front of the store
RITE AID (CALIFORNIA SW)
Location: 5217 California SW (map)
How it’s priced: Set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $19 sale price, $24 regular for 5′-6′ Douglas Fir, $29 for 5′-6′ Grand Fir, $39 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir
RITE AID (WESTWOOD VILLAGE)
Location: Southeast corner of Westwood Village (map)
How it’s priced: Set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $24 for 5′-6′ Douglas Fir, $29 for 5′-6′ Grand Fir, $34 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir
TONY’S
Location: Northeast corner of 35th/Barton (map)
How it’s priced: Per tree, not tagged (except for flocked trees, in the indoor area)
Price(s) we sampled: $39-$159 for the labeled flocked trees, from tabletop size to, well, massive
Note: Friendly employee told us that the Tony’s crew cuts the trees themselves and have been at work for “at least 2 weeks” getting the trees with which they launched the lot last week
TRUEVALUE
Location: Northwest corner of 44th/Edmunds (map)
How it’s priced: Set prices for trees in certain size/type range
Price(s) we sampled: $25 for 5′-6′ Douglas Fir, $35 for 5′-6′ Grand Fir, $45 for 5′-6′ Noble Fir
WEST SEATTLE BROS. (new this year)
Location: 3925 Alaska (map)
How it’s priced: Per tree, tagged
Price(s) we sampled: $59 for Noble fir that appeared to be 6′-7′
Note: This lot is run by West Seattle-based entrepreneur Ryan Reese
WEST SEATTLE NURSERY (WSB sponsor)
Location: 5275 California SW (map)
How it’s priced: Per tree, tagged
Price(s) we sampled: $39 for 6′-7′ Grand Fir
Note: Before our price check (which we do in “secret shopper” in-person-visit mode for all sites), we asked WSN for a list of tree types they’re selling – here it is: Natural Douglas Firs, sheared Douglas Firs, Grand Firs, Fraser Firs, natural Noble Firs, sheared Noble Firs, live Christmas trees, cedar garland, cut greens sold by the pound
In case you lose track of this list, note that it is now linked atop the Holiday Happenings page, so you can find it there anytime. (Disclaimer: These are the prices we found during visits this weekend; no guarantee they won’t change by the time you go tree-shopping, but as mentioned above, we intend to check back in a week or so.)
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