U-cut, pre-cut fresh Christmas trees around the Sound

Here’s our list of Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree, plus some of the best local stores for fresh cut trees and other holiday greenery, as well as holiday lights, ornaments, and other seasonal décor.

Choosing a Northwest Christmas Tree

The Pacific Northwest is home to many species of evergreen trees, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Five of the most common types of Christmas trees in the PacNW are: Douglas fir, Noble fir, Grand fir, Fraser fir, and Nordmann fir. Most u-cut tree farms and cut tree outlets listed below offer several of the most common tree varieties and may also offer a few other tree styles.

Cut your Christmas tree in a National Forest

One of the cheapest ways to get a Christmas tree is to cut one yourself in a National Forest. Note that most trees are accessible only by narrow, unplowed mountain roads. Cutting areas are located within national forest lands in the eastern portions of Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties as well as the far northeastern and southeastern parts of the state. Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold, online and at ranger stations and public service centers.

Tips for cutting National Forest Christmas Trees

Be sure to read the requirements for the location you have chosen carefully. Follow instructions so that everyone can enjoy this precious resource.

First of all, to cut a tree on federal land you must purchase Christmas Tree Permit – Recreation.gov. Permits are for the current season only and are non-refundable. Permits cost $5-$10 each for a tree up to the maximum height determined by each location. The supply of permits at all locations is limited. Once the supply is exhausted, no more permits will be available. 

Note: Topping a tree over the maximum allowed height is subject to a hefty fine. Be sure to read all the instructions for your site in the “Need to Know” section on recreation.gov.

Washington State National Forests offering Christmas tree permits

Listed below are the National Forests in Washington State (and nearby Oregon) where you can get a tree permit. (Approximate distance from Seattle is listed in parentheses, shortest distance first.) 

• Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov (75 mi. NE)
• Olympic National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov (157 mi. W)
• Mt. Hood National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Oregon – Recreation.gov (208 mi. S)
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov (230 mi. S)
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov (237 mi. NE)
• Umatilla National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Oregon – Recreation.gov (280 mi. SE)
• Colville National Forest Christmas Tree Permit in Washington – Recreation.gov (320 mi. NE)
• More info: Get Your Christmas Tree Permit – Recreation.gov

2024 U-Cut and Pre-cut Christmas tree farms

Most Christmas tree farms open Thanksgiving Weekend. Some stay open until Christmas Eve. However, many farms sell out and close early. Many of these farms are very small family operations—be kind and respectful when you visit their home.

Before you head out, check their website for details, including closing time (usually around 4PM or dusk), tree varieties, prices, directions, pet policy, and other information.

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Arlington. Farmer Brown’s Christmas Tree Farm (brownxtree.com), 12017 109th Avenue NE, Arlington, WA 98223. Open Thu-Mon 9 am – 4 pm.

Arlington. Fish Creek Tree Farm | Facebook, 18420 3rd Ave NE, Arlington, WA. Open daily 10 am to 4pm. 

Arlington. Pilchuck Secret Valley Christmas Trees, 9533 Mose RD, Arlington WA 98223. Open daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Auburn. Coates Christmas Trees | U-Cut Christmas Tree Farm, 17225 SE Green Valley Rd, Auburn, WA 98092. OPEN Mon thru Fri: 10am to 5pm, Sat & Sun: 9am to 5pm.

Auburn. U-Cut Christmas Trees from Pfaff’s on Kent East Hill, 29204 124^th Ave SE, Auburn, WA. Open weekdays 10 am – 6:30 pm, weekends 9 am – 6:30 pm.

Carnation. Carnation Tree Farm – U-Cut Christmas Trees, 3861 Tolt Ave, Carnation, WA 98014. Open Friday-Sunday 9am-4pm.

Carnation. The Farm – Ronnei Christmas Trees (ronneichristmastrees.com), 11210 Carnation-Duvall Rd NE, Carnation, WA 98014. Open Weekdays 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, weekends 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

2023 U-Cut and Pre-cut Christmas tree farms

(As we verify these farms for this year, we’ll move them to the above list.)

Eatonville. Holiday U Cut Christmas Trees (gochristmastree.com), 39908 Dean Kreger Rd E, Eatonville, WA 98328. Open Friday-Sunday 9am-5pm.

Issaquah. Enchanted Winds, 18021 Issaquah-Hobart Rd SE, Issaquah, WA 98027. Open Fri-Sun 9am–4:30pm.

Issaquah. Trinity Tree Farm, 14237 228^th Ave SE, Issaquah, WA 98027. Open Monday-Friday 10-6 pm, Saturday-Sunday 9-5 pm.

Kent. Uncle Eek (uncleeekstrees.com), 12202 S.E. Kent Kangley Road, Kent, WA, 98030. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday-Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am – 6pm.

Lake Stevens. Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm, 5511 State Road 92, Lake Stevens, WA 98258. Nov 5th – Dec 4th –  BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! Dec 9th- Dec 11th – Appointments optional.

Maple Valley. Crystal Creek Tree Farm (crystalcreektreefarm.com), 23604 SE 192nd St, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Mon-Thu Noon-4pm. Fri-Sun 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Maple Valley. Papa’s Tree Farm (papastreefarm.com), 26429 SE 200th Street, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Open weekdays 10-dusk, weekends 9-dusk.

Maple Valley. Three Tree Farms, 28033 SE 216th Street, Maple Valley, WA. Open Saturday-Sunday, 9 am-dusk.

North Bend. Keith and Scott Tree Farm. Two fields: 42999 SE 120th St and 43342 SE Mt. Si Road, North Bend, WA  98045. Open weekends only 9:00 am – Dusk. Cash or check only.

Olalla. Five Springs Tree Farm, 3263 SE Five Springs Lane, Olalla, WA. Open Saturday-Sunday 9 am – 4 pm.

Port Orchard. The Wreath Works, 15384 Glenwood Road SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367. Open daily 9 am – 4pm.

Puyallup. Snowshoe Evergreen, 10720 State Route 162 East, Puyallup, WA 98374. Closed for 2022 season.

Redmond. Christmas Trees | Mcmurtrey Farm, 13925 Woodinville-Redmond Road NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Open daily 10 am – 8 pm. U-Cut closes December 2, 2022. Pre-cut open daily 10a-8p.

Redmond. Serres Farm, 20306 NE 50th St, Redmond, WA 98053. Saturday-Sunday 9 am – 5 pm.

Snohomish. Long’s Christmas Trees. LOT #1: 5001 Riverview Road and LOT #2: 5531 Riverview Road, Snohomish, WA  98290. Open Sat-Sun 10am to 4:30pm.

Snohomish. Stocker Farms Christmas Trees, 8705 Marsh Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296. Mon- Thu 11a-3:30p. Fri-Sun 9a-4:30p. Closes Dec 11.

Snohomish. Wintergreen Tree Farm, 13606 South Machias Rd., Snohomish WA 98290. Open Weekdays 2pm – 6pm, Weekends 9am – 6pm.

Snoqualmie. Mountain Creek Christmas Tree Farm, 6821 440th Avenue SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. U-cut by appointment only before Dec 4. Dec 6 to Close – No Appointment needed (limited tree selection).

Stanwood. Holiday Forest Christmas Tree Farm, 3125 280th St NW, Stanwood, WA 98292. Open Friday-Sunday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Tree lots, nurseries, and retail stores for cut trees, Christmas wreaths, and fresh evergreens

Selected stores and tree lots throughout the region with fresh cut Christmas trees, evergreens, and other holiday greenery. Many are an important annual fund-raiser for local organizations.

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Bothell. Scout Troop 420 Christmas Tree Lot. Canyon Park Safeway, 24118 Bothell Everett Hwy, Bothell, WA 98021. Fresh cut trees: Douglas, Grand, and Noble Firs. They usually sell out, so go sooner rather than later. 

Federal Way: Local Boys Christmas Tree Lot | Federal Way WA | Facebook, 32000 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA. Fresh cut Christmas Trees, flocked trees, wreaths, garland, and tree stands.

Gig Harbor: Local Boys of Gig Harbor have been selling Christmas trees (and a lot more) for over 45 years. Fresh fruit & vegetables, plus meats, seafood, locally made chips & salsa, jams, and Pac NW honey, and more. Christmas Trees (localboygh.com)

Kent. Carpinito Brothers, 27508 W Valley Hwy N, Kent, WA 98032. Open daily 9am-6pm. Specializes in natural holiday décor, including cut and flocked trees, wreaths, cedar garlands, door swags, pinecones, mistletoe, and a large selection of poinsettias. One of the largest selections of cut Christmas trees in Washington State, all shapes and sizes. One of my favorite fruit & vegetable stands in the Puget Sound region with something going on in every season. Must see!

Mercer Island. Mercer Island Christmas Tree Lot. Old Tully’s Parking Lot – 7810 SE 27th St. Open three weekends only from Thanksgiving until mid-December. Trees, wreaths, and garlands. 100% Profits help Fund Critical Mercer Island Youth & Family Services. 

Seattle (north). Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117. Open daily 9a-7p. Full-service plant nursery. Select fresh cut Washington grown trees, living trees, fresh garlands, poinsettias, wreaths, and other holiday décor. Probably pricier than other locations. But uh, so, worth every penny you will spend.

Seattle (central). City People’s Garden Store, 2939 E. Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112. Tree lot open Wed-Fri; check their website for details. Cut trees, garlands, and wreaths, as well as seasonal annuals (Cyclamen, Holiday Cactus, Amaryllis), plus decorations. 

Seattle (south). El Centro de la Raza Christmas Tree Sale, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144. Monday-Friday 3:00-7:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday 10:00-6:00 PM. Support the children, youth, families and seniors in their 43 programs and services by purchasing a fresh organic Christmas tree at their Annual Christmas Tree Sale. One of my favorite places in south Seattle for a beautiful cut Christmas tree.

Seattle (west). Holy Rosary School tree lot, located at Dakota and 41st Avenue SW (2 blocks east of California Ave), Seattle, WA. Mon – Thu 4pm – 8pm, Fri 4pm – 9pm, Sat-Sun 9am – 9pm. Fresh-cut Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths.

Shoreline. Sky Nursery, 18528 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133. Full-service plant nursery. Open daily 9 am – 6 pm. Cut trees, wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, or DIY from greenery, berries, and boughs.

Snohomish. Adventure Soccer – Christmas Trees for Swaziland. Snohomish Valley Golf Center, 8511 Marsh Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296. Open Fri-Sat 10-5, Sun Noon-5. Freshly cut Noble Fir, as well as wreaths & greenery. Adventure Soccer operates an orphan-care ministry in Swaziland, Africa and has expanded across the greater Pacific Northwest region. Their local and global missions and soccer camps serve orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.

Woodinville. Molbak’s Garden + Home, 13625 NE 175th St, Woodinville, WA 98072. Open daily 9am – 7pm. Full-service plant nursery and home & garden center. Fresh cut and artificial trees and seasonal plants, huge ornament selection, large selection of gifts gift cards, and café (first-come first-serve basis). Vast and fantastical place in every season.

Mclendon Hardware (Multiple locations: Kent, Puyallup, Renton, Sumner, Tacoma, White Center, Woodinville) is a one-stop holiday shop featuring fresh and flocked trees, artificial trees, wreaths, swags, garlands, mistletoe, poinsettia, pinecones, Christmas tree lights, yard decorations, Christmas tree ornaments, tree stands, and more, plus tools and lots of DIY information. Really nice folks, like an old-fashioned hardware store.

But wait, there’s more!

• Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region
• Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
• Best retailers for gifts, party supplies, holiday decor
• FREE Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and holiday events
• December events and entertainment
• Find more Christmas and holiday events
• Here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
• More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
• Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.

Love our cheap ideas? Get our FREE email newsletters. Choose from daily, weekly, and monthly lists. Click here to subscribe.

Holiday event calendar of free and affordable things to do

Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do for Thanksgiving to Christmas holidays, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.

 

Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area