Paul NelsonChannel 2 News
Lots of people are getting their trees up and that means another annual business of Christmas tree lots is moving into town. We found many lots are helping charitable causes this year.
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It's that time of the year again, when people are gearing up for Christmas.
And Christmas wouldn't be complete without a tree.
"I say $70. You say $80. I'll give you $75. Sounds good."
Matt Altemus sells Christmas trees on the corner of Kietzke Lane and South Virginia Street.
But he doesn't pocket all of the earnings. "I have a brother that has cystic fibrosis."
So half of all sales, here, are donated to Cystic Fibrosis Research.
The cost of one of these trees could be as low as $30. "Sales have been pretty good. We have a lot of returning customers that really love our trees just because they stay fresh."
People like Lee Pfleiderer and Judy Latour, who drove down from Graeagle, California to pick out their tree. "Last year, we had so much snow, we couldn't even try to cut down a tree. So, we came in and saw this lot and saw the perfect tree. It was gorgeous, forever."
Pfleiderer adds, "So, that's why we came back. It was a perfect tree, last year, and I think we have the perfect tree, this year."
"We look and make sure the needles are still nice and green and moist."
Altemus says the people that buy trees from him are a big reason why he enjoys his work. "It's always the Christmas spirit and everybody's happy and it's a lot of physical labor."
After you pick your tree, the crew will fresh-cut it and load it up for you so you don't have to do any of the work until you get home.
The trees come from the higher elevations of the Oregon Cascades. Which means they shouldn't have bugs and they have more moisture.
Rudy and Marie Rivera found one they both agree on. "He's the one that wants a full one. I want a big one. So, it worked out. It's perfect."
Altemus thinks this will be their busiest weekend of sales, but always expects a few procrastinators. "You get your last bunch of people that say 'Oh, I've got to get a Christmas tree' but they might as well enjoy it longer. So, come and get it early."
Or if you grow up in a family as big as mine, it gives you more time to destroy that tree.
Of course these are just two of the many places around the Truckee Meadows to find your perfect tree so the search could be just as long.
