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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us Neale Donald Walsch and his daughter Tara , who have lived in Ashland for more than 15 years, imagine the possibilities a tall tree has to offer. All photos by Rob Werfel | For the Tidings December 10, 2005 With Christmas approaching, for many It's TREE time Southern Oregon affords residents many options for sprucing up the living room By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Whether you call it a Christmas tree or a holiday tree, it’s that time of year again when so many people in Ashland and around the world put a dendrological specimen in their living room with the hopes that a jolly old man from the North Pole will drop a few presents under it come Christmas morning. Although evergreen trees have been celebrated as part of the winter solstice since the ancient druids roamed Europe, according to the History Channel’s Web site, it was not until the 16th century when Christians in Germany first brought decorated trees into their homes. “It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree,” the Web site says. “Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.” Today, that tradition remains strong. Just about the only part that has changed is there are more places to get such a tree these days. Though for those who still want the satisfaction of going out into the woods and cutting down their own tree, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management still allow people to cut down a holiday ornament from public lands. With a $5 permit, residents can shop for their tree in the woods just like they used to do it in the old days. “People really enjoy selecting and cutting their own tree,” said Karen Gillespie, a spokesperson for the BLM. “At this time of year, it’s often hard to find an excuse to get outdoors. Picking a Christmas tree is a great way to get some exercise, some fresh air and a lot of happy holiday memories.” The permits are good for any federal public lands in Southern Oregon, and Gillespie said the public forests off of Highway 140 and 62 are some of the most popular. Ashland resident Dan Durant and his dog Maggie watch as Peco Pines's Jesse Shannon mounts a stand on the tree he selected. “There are tons of people off of 140 every weekend this time of year,” Gillespie said. She said the BLM and Forest Service sell about 10,000 Christmas tree permits each season. For the more urban types, there are alternatives to trekking out into the woods and sawing down a tree. In Ashland, one of the more popular locales is the Peco Pines tree lot on the north end of town, across Highway 99 from the car dealerships. Jesse Shannon, who manages what he called his “pop-up forest,” says he has a tree for every budget. The average range is between $30 and $60. However, he said, “I try to send every one away with a tree. I have a certain amount of leeway but sometimes I just have to say no.” Peco Pines will sell a tree with a stand already attached for an extra $20. And for those who would like to cut down their own tree without having to venture off into the vast stretches of public lands, there is the U-Cut Tree Farm on Camp Baker Road in Medford. Larry Ryerson and his family have been offering this service since 1978. “Years ago, we had to do something with our land,” he said. Since he and his wife were teachers, the wine grape harvest would have conflicted with their schedules, so they went into the Christmas tree farming business. “It’s mainly to pay the property taxes and get some extra money for Christmas.” Joe Barona accepts a tree stand from Sky Susti after Peco Pines worker Jesse Shannon loaded their tree into their car. He said his farm is an excellent place to spend a weekend day with the family. “People come up and have lunch and then wander around the field until they find that perfect tree,” he said. Ryerson said people can cut their own or they will cut it down for you. They even have ATV’s to lug it back to a patron’s car for them. “People always seem to be in good spirits when they come up here,” he said. The U-Cut Tree Farm sells an average sized Douglas fir and Scotch pine for $20. The Noble and Grand firs go for $30. Ryerson said an average tree is between seven and eight feet tall, but they also have trees as tall as 14-feet and as short as coffee table size. For these sizes he will negotiate a price with customers. Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x 3040 or [email protected]. 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