A family trip to cut a Christmas tree or a couple cutting their first tree together — hand-cutting a fragrant fir or pine is an American holiday tradition for many.
On the North Olympic Peninsula are two private Christmas tree farms that offer that traditional day of togetherness.
For the adventurous, Olympic National Forest is open for tree cutting.
Steve, Ann and Graeme Johnson, owners of Lazy J Tree Farm, 225 Gehrke Road between Port Angeles and Sequim near Old Olympic Highway, have 60 acres planted with Christmas trees.
Some of the trees are cut to be shipped to commercial lots in Washington and Oregon, but many are made available for families to search through in the forest of 3-foot to 12-foot trees to cut for themselves, Steve Johnson said.
Some trees larger than 12 feet are also available, Johnson said.
Trees are $6.50 per foot, plus tax, and the farm will be open 8 a.m. through
4 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve.
“We will be here. For some people, getting their tree on Christmas Eve is a tradition,” said Ann Johnson.
There are farm roads throughout the 60 acres, and most trees are easily accessible from those roads.
Steve Johnson said that the past two weekends have offered good weather for tree cutting, and people even came to cut trees through the rains during the week.
As long as drivers stay on the roads, conditions continue to be good for tree cutting, he said.
The farm offers traditional Douglas fir, noble fir and concolor fir — also known as the white fir — as well as the Nordmann fir from the republic of Georgia, the Turkish fir from Turkey and the giant sequoia of Southern California.
The sequoias at the farm are typical Christmas tree size and not the towering specimens native to California’s High Sierra, Anne Johnson said.
Lazy J also offers live pine and fir wreaths, and a farm store on the property has fresh apples, potatoes, Asian pears, garlic and honey.
The farm also composts trees for free when the season is over as long as they don’t have ornaments or tinsel on them.
Deer Park Tree Farm at 4227 Deer Park Road, just east of Port Angeles, is open from dawn to dusk every day until Christmas Eve.
On the 10 acres owned by Ken Nattinger, “owner and laborer,” visitors will find noble, Douglas and grand firs, as well as scotch pine.
“They are scattered. You have to wander around and look for them,” Nattinger said.
The cost is $7 a foot with a $50 maximum per tree, including tax.
Nattinger provides hand saws but “they can bring their own if they like them.”
Olympic National Forest: The more adventurous can drive deep into the woods along moss-lined roads to find the perfect tree.
Permits to cut a Christmas tree in Olympic National Forest are $5 and are available at offices in Forks at 551 S. Forks Ave. and Quilcene at 295142 U.S. Highway 101.
The permits — payable by cash or check only — can be purchased during regular business hours Mondays through Fridays, with special weekend hours at some locations.
Each permit allows the holder to cut one tree from the forest.
Permits must be purchased from the district offices for the area in which the tree will be cut.
Maps and information about cutting locations will be provided with each sale. Not all parts of Olympic National Forest are open to Christmas tree cutting.
Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The joint U.S. Forest Service/National Park Service office in Forks is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, phone 360-374-6522.
Mail-order permits are available by downloading the form at http://tinyurl.com/pdn-trees.
Make checks payable to the Forest Service and send to the district office for the area in which the tree will be cut.
Recent rains may have limited access to tree cutting areas, the Olympic National Forest website warned.
“Forest roads are prone to flooding and washouts. Do not ever attempt to cross road washouts since you could easily get trapped. Always use extreme caution while driving on forest roads,” the website said..
According to the website, tree searchers should travel with lights on, obey speed limits and watch for pedestrians and other vehicles on the forest roads.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
