more than a tree. a tradition.
Trees ready for loading in Mason County
Forest Service photo
$5 Olympic National Forest trees
Dreaming of heading to the forest and cutting your own? For just the cost of a $5 tree-cutting permit anyone can head out on the hunt.
In the wake of Hood Canal’s timber boom it was discovered that the glacial till left after the fjord was carved was ideal ground for growing Douglas fir Christmas trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the area annually harvested several million, earning it the title as “Christmas Tree Capital of the Nation.”
“During the Christmas tree boom, every available hand was cutting trees and filling rail cars for worldwide deliveries. Entire container ships were filled with Mason County trees.”
Local u-cut and pre-cut farms around Hood Canal continue to “Keep it Real” by producing some of the finest Nobles, Grands, Frasers as well as Douglas Firs. Northwest growers claim that real trees help the environment and are recyclable and biodegradable while artificial trees will eventually end in a landfill.
Annually many families head to local farms to select their favorite and enjoy holiday activities like hayrides, petting zoos and visits with Santa. There’s hardly anything that’s more quintessentially Christmas than decorating a handpicked Pacific Northwest Christmas tree and gathering your family around a tree that you brought home together from Hood Canal.
Before You Go:
ALWAYS call the farm or store BEFORE YOU GO to confirm their supply, their hours and whether they have trees, are allowing choose-and-cut or just precut trees; and which attractions or winter activities are available. All three can change, due to weather, demand and the farmer's business conditions! Since the season is so short they often don’t have websites , so please check before you go!
Most lots and farms open after Thanksgiving but some only have activities like Santa Claus visits and hayrides on the weekends. Check out our list of tree farms below!