Back in the day…the tree hunt was a family affair but this year due to the shortage of trees and the shortage of time with our kids at Thanksgiving, my wife and I had to tag the tree ahead of time. Something tells me the kids won’t miss the arguing and debating whose tree gets picked–instead they left that to my wife and I and two hours later we finally agreed.

If you’re hoping to cut your own Christmas tree this year, best to get an early start.

It appears  that many of the popular u-cut spots are dealing with a tree shortage in a variety of ways: closing for the season, shortening hours, and/or limiting the size of trees available. The growth cycle for Christmas trees is anywhere from 7-12 years from seedling to harvest so growers and harvesters like us have to be patient.

Below you’ll find a roundup of Christmas tree lots and farms in and around Lake Oswego.  I’ve tried to list the restrictions here but best to call ahead and/or check their Facebook page for the latest updates. 

Boy Scout Troop 127. Local Boy Scouts have been selling trees as a fundraiser since 1947, starting at the local Piggly Wiggly before moving to George Rogers Park. Once again, Scouts will be on hand but in a new section of the park—next to the Iron Smelter. Over the 2½ weeks the lot is in operation, they will get three fresh shipments of 300 trees each, traveling from a farm near Estacada.
Address: George Rogers Park, 611 S. State Street, Lake Oswego
Hours: Opens Saturday, November 30 until December 15.
Wednesday-Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Varieties: Pre-cut Noble Fir
Cost: $35 to $100+
Other: Scouts make a fresh cut, bale if wanted, carry it to the car and tie it on. Wreaths, garland by the foot, free cookies and hot chocolate

Parsons Farms. The family that brings us local produce also brings us trees. Pre-cut and close-in makes this spot very convenient.
Address: Lake Bible Church (Tree Lot), 4565 Carman Drive, Lake Oswego
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except for Saturday, December 9, closes at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Varieties: Noble, Douglas, and Nordmann Fir.
Other: Handmade fresh wreaths, fresh cut greens, pine cones, and centerpieces also available.

Stroupe Christmas Tree Farm. This is the closest spot for u-cut trees. It’s located right across from one of the family’s other businesses: S&H Landscape. Check online for recent updates as plans were still in the making at publication time.
Address: corner of Stafford and Borland Roads
Varieties: Douglas, Grand, Nordmann and Noble
Cost: Check online and/or call S & H: 503.638.1011
Other: Handmade wreaths and swags

Ron’s Christmas Tree Farm. There is no address posted but look for the sign that says, “Christmas Trees.” It’s at roughly 4400 Borland Road, between Stafford and SW 65th.
Address: See above. (about 3 miles from Lake Oswego) Phone: 503.475.7576.
Hours: Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays-Sundays only from November 29-December 8 and then just Saturday and Sunday, December 14 – 15.
Varieties: All Nobles along with one 20 foot Douglas Fir and a 45 Grand Fir
Cost: $6/foot
Other: This place is u-pick, Ron-cuts. He has rope to tie it on to your car.

Little Z Christmas Tree Farm. This family farm prides itself on quality and service. This year only trees that are seven feet tall or larger are available for u-cut, except for Shasta fir.
Address: 842 Rosemont Rd., West Linn. 503.453.0573 (about 4 miles from Lake Oswego)
Hours: Opens Friday, November 29 at 9:00 a.m. through December 22.  Hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a full crew on hand to help you, especially needed for trees taller than 10 feet and Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 4:30 p.m. with a skeletal crew on hand. Varieties: U-cut Noble, Douglas, Fraiser, Nordmann, Shasta Fir
Cost: Price varies, but generally $10/foot
Other: The Zerkels are ready to serve you, including cutting down the tree you want with their chainsaws, carrying it to your car, and loading it or tying it down. If you’d rather cut your own, they recommend bringing your own hand saw.

Lee Farms. Talk about tradition! The Lees have been farming in Tualatin since 1869 over seven generations with three generations currently involved in the family farm. This is a year-round operation so if you want to get out there early to tag your tree, you can. This year there is a 7-foot minimum on u-cut to preserve their field trees. No minimum on already-cut trees.
Address: 21975 SW 65th Avenue, Tualatin. (about 4 miles from Lake Oswego). 503.638.1869.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; noon to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning November 15 through December 23. Closed for Thanksgiving.
Varieties: Fresh cut and u-cut Noble, Grand, Nordmann
Cost: Price varies. Check website. 
Other: They will cut, shake, bale and load your tree free of charge. Will also install Davis Tree Stand. Also available: wreaths, garlands, swags, centerpieces, custom wreath and centerpiece orders, ornaments, decorations. Visit the bakery for donuts and espresso and place an order for a Christmas pie.

Sleighbells. This is a one-stop shop for Christmas with a gift shop packed with holiday décor and Santa on hand from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. starting November 29 and every Saturday and Sunday following as well as Monday, December 23 for photo opps ($5 fee).
Address: 23855 SW 195th Place, Sherwood. 503.625.6052 (10½ miles from Lake Oswego)
Hours: 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for trees; gift shop stays open until 5:00 p.m.
Varieties: Noble/Nordmann and Douglas/Grand Fir
Cost: Prices vary so check online. Example: 8 ft. Noble is $65; 8 ft. Grand Fir is 53.
Other: You can pre-tag for additional fee. Food carts are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Complimentary cocoa and coffee.

Sunny Days Tree Farm. If you want a tree with a view, this is your place set atop 80 hilltop acres in Tualatin and overlooking the Willamette wine country.
Address: 25100 SW Neill Rd., Sherwood. 503.629.1017 (15 miles from Lake Oswego)
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Monday starting November 23 (closed for Thanksgiving) through December 22
Varieties: Turkish Fir, Nordmann Fir up to 9 feet. No Nobles.
Cost: $60 u-cut all trees; $65 pre-cut
Other: Saws and twine provided, but you might want to bring your own handsaw in case it’s crowded. No baler or shaker. Cash and checks only. Visit during the week to avoid crowds. Also available: wreaths, garland, log reindeer and snow people.

Merrywood Farm. Due to how late Thanksgiving is this year, Merrywood will open the weekend before turkey day, November 23-24 with limited staff on hand and no pony rides. And because of the shortage of average room-size u-cuts they are bringing in 1,000 freshly cut trees and will stay open while supplies last.
Address: 12328 South Casto Rd., Oregon City. 503. 307.2495 (20 miles from Lake Oswego)
Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday, November 23-24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and then Tuesdays through Sundays beginning Friday, November 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 430 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. Open while supplies last.
Varieties: Normally The Keysers grow 10 varieties of trees including Noble, Nordmann, Grand, White Fir, White Pine and Douglas but because most field trees this year are only in the 3-4 foot range, they are bringing in fresh cut trees from a nearby field.
Cost: Check online.
Other: Complimentary hot cider and warm fire. Twine and hand saws are provided but no baler. Free pony rides for the kids on weekends.

Redland Family Farm. This Oregon City farm is only open two days this season: Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. but it has a lot to offer so if that time frame suits you, you might want to head over.
Address: 19400 S. Redland Rd., Oregon City (19 miles from Lake Oswego)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. December 7 and 8.
Cost: $75 for both u-cut and pre-cut, all sizes
Varieties: Check online and/or call to confirm 503.462.4636
Other: Warming fire with free hot cocoa, s’mores, wagon rides, petting zoo, bounce house, kids’ craft station and Santa visits. Free shaking and baling.

Mt. Hood Tree Farm. Head here on a clear day and get a view of Mt. Hood as an added bonus.
Address: 17472 S. Harding Road, Oregon City
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; 11:00 a.m.. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays from November 29 through December 15.
Varieties: Douglas, Grand, Noble, Nordmann and Turkish up to 12 feet. Some pre-cut.
Cost: Check online or call ahead: 503.932.7967.
Other: They’ll provide help cutting, transporting and loading your tree. Saws, baler and shaker available. Enjoy hot cider, candy canes and cookies around a warm fire. Wreaths and garlands also available.

Furrow Farm. These trees are celebrities–they’ve appeared in multiple Christmas episodes of Grimm.
Address: 25877 NW Union Rd, Hillsboro (20 miles from Lake Oswego) 503.647.5288
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to dark; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to dark
Varieties: Noble, Nordmann, Grand, Douglas
Cost: All trees are $8/foot except for Douglas Fir which are $6/foot
Other: Enjoy a warming fire and free hot cocoa and candy canes as well as tractor rides. Tree baling is $2 extra. Mistletoe, wreaths, garland and tree stands also available.

Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm. If you love everything pumpkin this time of year, head over here to grab a pumpkin donut along with your tree.
Address: 11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Road, Portland (about a half hour away from Lake Oswego) 503.645.9561
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays through Sundays beginning November 29 until mid-December; Monday through Thursday and pre-season by appointment.
Varieties: u-cut Douglas, Noble, Grand and Nordmann; Pre-cut: Noble and Grand, 6-12 feet.
Cost: Check online. Credit cards accepted
Other: Saws provided. Baler. Visit the store for hot drinks and pumpkin donuts, garland, wreaths and mistletoe. Feed the animals and visit with Santa the first and second weekends in December from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Historic Kirchem Farm. This natural, no spray farm will be closed this year to give their trees a chance to catch up.

If you have any Christmas tree recommendations, please leave them here! And be sure to subscribe to 52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego to receive weekly updates. Just click the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column.