Where to Find Your Christmas Tree in PDX

Urban Nest’s How-To Guide for Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree in Portland

December is here! ’Tis the season of holiday parties, advent calendars, secret recipes, and great anticipation leading up to Christmas Day. While there are hundreds of traditions linked to celebrating the season, there’s one ritual we just can’t do without: finding the perfect Christmas Tree.

If you haven’t already purchased the perfect tree for your home, don’t worry! Urban Nest is here to help. Whether it’s your first holiday in your new home, your first Christmas in Portland, or you’re at a loss for remembering where you bought your tree last year, this guide will help you find the perfect tree to fill your home with cheer this Christmas season. 

Where to Shop for Christmas Trees in Portland

While we might dream of whimsical trips to Mt. Hood where we find the perfect tree lightly dusted by fresh snow, let’s be honest: it’s easiest if you don’t have to lug your tree dozens of miles back to your home. So here’s a neighborhood guide. We’ve broken our search into quadrants to help you find a Christmas tree close to home. 

NW
For northwest Portlanders, we recommend Nob Hill Christmas Trees. For busy families who have an endless number of holiday parties, or bike commuters who don’t have a car, we suggest Nob Hill Christmas Trees for two reasons: it’s a low-cost, weekend only joint that serves up trees from small farmers in Molalla, Estacada, and Oregon City, and the farm offers delivery for $10-$20 depending on location. 

SW
If you live in southwest, or you’re searching for an old-time, u-cut experience, visit Sunny Day Tree Farm. It’s a bit of trek to Sherwood, but this Portland tree farm doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy an authentic holiday experience searching for your Christmas tree with panoramic views of the Willamette Valley and acres of Turkish and Nordmann firs. Any size, any height, all u-cut trees are priced at a fair $50, and pre-cut trees run for $55. 

NE
For those in northeast Portland, we suggest buying your Christmas tree from L'Arche Portland. Located in the Hollywood neighborhood, the annual L'Arche Portland tree sale is 28 years strong in providing local, fresh-cut trees for a good cause. When you buy a tree from L’Arche Portland, the proceeds contribute to the organization’s cause, “you help create home and build community for people with and without intellectual disabilities.” Volunteer-run and open daily, we highly recommend this Portland tree lot.

SE
If you live in southeast Portland, we recommend visiting the Christmas tree lot at the East Portland Eagle Lodge 3256. As part of a yearly tradition, the Lodge transforms its parking lot into a haven of Christmas Trees. Here you’ll find Nobles and Firs, ranging from $20-$70. The selection is great, and the service is even better. Our tip: go on the weekend and you’ll find a quirky flea market inside the Lodge. 

How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree

Alright, you’ve found the perfect place to shop, but how do you pick the perfect tree? Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect Christmas tree:

Know what kind of tree you want ahead of time: Each species is different. A Douglas Fir is more budget-friendly than a Noble; a Pine tree has softer, more kid-friendly needles compared to Spruce trees. 

Pay attention to color: If you’re buying a pre-cut tree, don’t just view the tree at eye-level. Make sure you look closely at the base of the tree, and examine the branches for any brown needles. You don’t want your tree to brown before Christmas!

Know how much tree you can handle: Don’t fall victim to choosing a tree that’s too tall (or too short/small) for your home. Before you go, decide where you want to place the tree in your home, and measure the floor to ceiling height of the space, as well as the diameter of the space. Before you choose a tree, make sure it fits the dimensions of your home.

Reminders: Don’t Forget the Essentials!

One more thing before you leave the house to find the perfect Christmas tree, don’t forget these items:

Transportation tools: If you’re bringing your tree home yourself, make sure you have rope or cords to strap the tree to your car’s roof, or a tarp or blanket to lay underneath the blanket if the tree is going inside (or on top of) the car.

Cash: Most Christmas tree farms are cash only. While many of these locations have ATMs, avoid any bank fees by getting your cash ahead of time.

Tape measure: This will come in handy when you’re trying to figure out if the tree you love will fit inside your home.

Warm drinks: Fill your thermos with hot cocoa or cider. Trust us, a hot beverage completes the tree-shopping experience. 

Happy shopping, Portlanders!