The leaves have fallen and Thanksgiving is upon us. It will soon be time to kick off the season of carols and Christmas trees. Local sellers tell us there’s a tree shortage this year, so you may want to get an early start. Here are places to buy a tree, and help a good cause at the same time.
Clarendon United Methodist Church Annual Tree Sale
Now through Dec. 3
Celebrate the season with the scent of a 6-8 foot Fraser Fir, freshly cut from a farm in Canada. CUMC has 300 trees available, but recommends pre-purchasing online to make sure they have one in the size you want. You can also stroll through the lot in person. Volunteers will bale the tree for you and tie it to your car. A 6-7 foot tree is $115 and a 7-8 foot tree is $135. All proceeds from this year’s sale go to New Hope Housing, the oldest and largest provider of shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia. Wreaths are also for sale, but only in-person. Pick up trees Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-3. // 606 N. Irving Street, Arlington
Merrifield Garden Center
Starts Nov. 17| Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Enjoy a glass of wine and a festive night of holiday shopping from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 16 at A Holiday Night Out, the kick-off party for Merrifield Garden Center’s Christmas shop. Tree sales begin the next day and will feature eight varieties, including Fraser and Turkish firs, white pines and blue spruce. The garden center has evergreens ranging from tabletop height to 9 feet ($45-$250+). Taller trees (10 feet and up) are in short supply this year and may be unavailable, though the garden center is still looking for a supplier. The store also sells wreaths, garlands, cut greens and artificial trees, as well as lights and ornaments. Kids can enjoy story time and cookies with Santa at the Fair Oaks location.// 8132 Lee Highway, Falls Church; 12101 Route 29, Fairfax
Optimist Club of Arlington Annual Tree Sale
Starts Nov. 24 | Monday-Thursday 2-8 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Now celebrating its 76th year, this sale is the major fundraiser of the Optimist Club, which supports more than 10,000 Arlington youth participating in academic, civic and sports programs. Choose a Fraser fir or white pine tree, ranging in size from tabletop to 9 feet, and support activities that keep local kids engaged. All of the trees are freshly cut from a farm in Galax, Virginia. Also available are garlands, wreaths and White House Christmas tree ornaments. All workers on the lot are community volunteers representing local athletic teams, high school honor societies and the Optimist Club. // Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
Boy Scout Troop 162 Christmas Tree Lot
Starts Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. | Monday-Friday 4-9 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Troop 162 has sold trees to generations of families and the tradition continues. This winter the troop is selling 4-9-foot trees for $65 to $180, depending on height. They will also have wreaths for $55 and live garlands ($55 for a 75-foot length or $20 for a 25-foot length). Money raised supports the troop’s outdoor program, and subsidizes equipment purchases, registration and camping fees. // 6000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Scout Troop 167 and Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
Nov. 24-26 | Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday Noon-8 p.m.
This local scout troop and church are partnering for their annual three-day Christmas tree sale the weekend after Thanksgiving (or the following weekend, if it rains). Trees priced at $165 come in one size (6-7 feet) from a family-owned farm in North Carolina. Two styles of wreaths are also available for $47. Proceeds from the sale support scouting activities for the boys and girls of Troop 167. You can pre-order online and delivery is available for an extra $20. // 1500 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Cox Farms’ Christmas at the Corner Market
Nov. 24-Dec. 17, Thursday-Friday Noon-8 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
For a festive atmosphere, make the drive out to Cox Farms in Centreville, where you can shop for the perfect tree or wreath and warm up around the fire. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or cider while the kids play on the wooden boat and firetruck. There’s also kettle corn, apple cider doughnuts and cinnamon roasted almonds for sale. Due to the tree shortage, organizers anticipate selling out of trees quickly this year, so visit early if you can. // 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville
Milltown Creek Farms in Lovettsville
Opens Nov. 24 | Monday-Friday Noon-5 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Want the freshest tree possible? You can cut your own at this 100-acre Christmas tree farm in northwestern Loudoun County (saws and tree carts are provided on site). The family-owned-and-operated farm has blue, Meyer and white spruce; Douglas and Concolor firs; and Scotch and white pine trees, ranging in height from tabletop to 8 feet tall. Pre-cut trees are also available. Find complimentary hot cider and free gifts for the kiddos on weekends. // 38757 Householder Road, Lovettsville
Knights of Columbus
Nov. 25-Dec. 17| Tuesday and Friday 6-9 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m.-6p.m.
Buy your trees and wreaths at the annual Knights of Columbus Christmas tree lot near Crystal City and help the Knights who help so many others. Proceeds go to the organization’s charitable activities. //Our Lady of Lourdes, 830 23rd St. S., Arlington
Fairlington United Methodist Men’s Christmas Tree Sale
Starts Nov. 30 | Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday Noon-8 p.m.
You can help support the church’s mission work at this 40-year-plus charitable tree sale, but act fast; organizers don’t expect the inventory to last more than a weekend. This year FUMM will have Pennsylvania-grown Douglas, Concolor and Fraser firs up to 12 feet tall. Prices range from $70-$250 depending on size. The sale supports multiple charitable causes, including a security deposit grant program for local renters and ALIVE!, a furniture donation program for the homeless. A card attached to each tree lists all of FUMM’s mission work, so buyers can see the good causes their purchase supports. // 3900 King Street, Alexandria
The Lodge – National Landing Pop-Up Christmas Tree Farm
Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 2, 1-8 p.m., Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
From mini to mega, you can find a tree for a small space all the way up to 10 feet tall at this pop-up market in National Landing—just one of the installments in a ski-themed holiday festival at Met Park. Got extra high ceilings? The vendor, Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees, will bring even larger trees—up to 15 feet tall—at a customer’s request. You can preorder through the website and choose to pick up at the market. Bring the whole family and enjoy some seasonal fun, including face paint and train rides for kids, and grown up drinks at the Ugly Sweater Après Ski happy hour. There’s even a dog bone bar for pups. // 1400 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)