Community Corner
Where to Buy Your Christmas Tree
Patch provides a list of perennial tree sellers in the area, including one cut-your-own tree farm.
Trees have been the centerpiece of Christmas tradition in America since the early 1800s. Brought over by Irish and German settlers who treasured the trees that stayed green all year long, the Christmas tree found its home for the month of December.
The German settlers first decorated their trees with apples, red paper strips and gilded nuts. These edible ornaments became so popular with Americans that the trees were referred to as "sugartrees."
The first lit Christmas tree is actually credited to Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer. While walking outside, Luther became amazed at the stars shining brightly through the tree branches. Returning home, he re-enacted this vision for his family by placing candles within a tree. In the early 20th century, the arrival of electricity meant trees could stay lit all night long.
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Now, 25 million to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold every year.
Here are some nearby places to grab your decoration centerpieces.
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Bennett's Best Christmas Trees
Contact: 4995 Kanan Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
Selection: Silver Tip Nobles, Grand firs and Douglas firs.
Open: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.
Prices: $30 to $300, depending on your tree type and size.
Bennett's has been around Agoura Hills for a decade. Its second location is at the .
Oregon Family Christmas Trees
Contact: 6400 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367; 818-888-8315.
Selection: Nobles and Douglas firs, and many other varieties.
Open: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.
Price Range: $36 to $71.
Founder Jack Price personally selects each tree that is then shipped from Oregon to Los Angeles. They also have a gift shop.
Stu Miller's Christmas Trees
Contact: 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360; 805-494-3551.
Selection: Douglas, Noble, Fraser and Grand firs.
Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Cost: $30 to $300, depending on the size.
Stu Miller's is currently the largest privately owned Christmas tree retailer in the country, with locations all over the Southland.
Christmas Ranch Tree Farms
Contact: 1586 Pederson Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA and 3800 Cochran St., Simi Valley, CA; 805-501-0874.
Selection: Pine species, including Leyland Cypress, Incense Cedar, Coast Redwoods and Arizona Cypress, are planted in their 15 acres, where you can go to cut them down yourself. Other varieties are also available.
Open: The Thousand Oaks location is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; the Simi Valley location is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends only.
Cost: Anything under 9 feet tall is $47. If you want your tree netted and shaken, it's a few bucks more.
Christmas Ranch Tree Farms was started in 1971 by Don and Marilyn Cameron on two acres of land in Simi Valley. Their first selling season was in December 1974 and they have been doing it ever since.