Local Christmas tree farms make the holiday season merry and bright
We live in a state of ignorant bliss when it comes to Christmas tree availability.
Whether you live in East Multnomah County, Gresham, Boring, Damascus, Sandy or Estacada, the freshest Christmas tree possible one you cut or had help cutting is just minutes away.
Some tree farms offer a full holiday experience with wreaths, ornaments, stocking stuffers, fire pits, cocoa and candy canes. 
Others are more rustic with trees, saws and a kind word of encouragement for hardy souls who insist on doing it themselves.
Yet others go the extra mile to re-define customer service.
At CanyonHaven Nursery in Sandy, owner Chuck Hanson has been known to take pity on customers who can't punch out until after dark. He'll find out what type and size a tree is needed, custom cut one to fit the bill and load his selection onto a grateful customer's car.
Oxbow Rim Tree Farm in Gresham offers a service package that should be advertised as the Save Your Marriage Christmas Tree it's shaken, bailed, bolted to a re-usable stand and strapped to the top of your car. Just carry the little torpedo inside, cut the twine and poof instant Christmas tree without the knocked over lamps, furniture rearranging and arguments that deck the halls when spouses customarily wrestle trees into stands.
In the spirit of the holidays, here's just a sampling of some local U-cut and we-cut farms. If you're particular about tree type, call before heading out to make sure it's still in stock. Also, bring cash and a checkbook. Most don't accept credit cards.
Clackamas County
4J's Tree Farm 2862 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-663-1455. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut and we-cut Christmas trees with saws provided. Noble firs of all sizes with large selection of tall trees perfect for churches, businesses and large entry halls. Wreaths, boughs and free hot cider available. Santa is also known to pop in. From Boring, take Highway 212 east and go across the Highway 26 overpass. Highway 212 becomes Compton Road. Pass Orient Drive, turn right on Southeast 352nd Avenue and the tree farm is on the left at the corner of 352nd and Dunn Road. Cash and checks accepted.
Beissmann Tree Farm 38075 S.E. Boitano Road, Sandy, 503-668-7632, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting Friday, Nov. 23. U-cut trees including nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Tree baling offered. Wreaths, handmade crafts and toys also available. Cash and checks only.
Bob'z U-cut Tree Farm 21579 S. Springwater Road, Estacada, about half a mile south of McIver Park, 503-631-4585. Open 10 a.m. to dusk on weekdays, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends, Friday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Trees also are available weekends only from 9 a.m. to dusk from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 16, at 28821 S.E. Powell Valley Road, Gresham, 503 663-4505. U-cut, We-cut and precut Christmas trees with saws provided. Christmas wreaths, boughs, garlands and mistletoe also available. Full service, including help cutting, retrieval from the field, shaking, trimming, bagging, baling and loading. Flocking also available. Snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, fire pit and free hot cocoa or coffee. Farm boasts 14 acres with thousands of nobles, grands and Douglas firs. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Look for the Bobz Tree Farm signs from Carver or Estacada. From I-205 take exit 12A East (Clackamas/Estacada) onto Highway 212/224. After approximately three miles turn right onto Highway 224 toward Estacada. Go about one mile to the town of Carver. Turn right, crossing the bridge over the Clackamas River. Turn left onto Springwater Road and go about 10 miles to Bobz Tree Farm on the right.
CanyonHaven Nursery 45280 S.E. Coalman Road, Sandy, 503-668-5826. Open 1 p.m. to dusk Monday through Friday, weekends 10 a.m. to dusk. Friday, Nov. 23 through Dec. 22, also by appointment. U-cut and we-cut with saws available. They'll even load it onto your car for free. All trees cost $15, cash only. Trees range from 4 to 8 foot nobles, grands, Douglas fir and that hard-to-find New England favorite Balsam firs. From Sandy, head north on Southeast Ten Eyck Road about half a mile, turn right on Coalman Road and follow the U-cut signs for about three miles to the nursery.
Dutcher's Tree Farm 33755 S.E. Compton Road, Boring, 503-663-4127. Open 8 a.m. to dusk through Sunday, Dec. 23. U-Cut, we-Cut and pre-cut Douglas firs, grands and nobles up to 12 feet tall. Saws, tree baling and flocking available, as are hand crafted wreaths, candle arrangements and decorations. Pet the farm animals and feed bread to the ducks.
From Gresham, go seven miles east on Highway 26 to the Boring exit. Turn left at stop sign, continue to Orient Drive and farm is half a mile on the left.
Hamburgs 4D Tree Farm 36731 S.E. Hauglum Road, Sandy, 503-668-8007, open 9 a.m. to dusk, Friday, Nov. 23, until Christmas Eve.
U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut grands and nobles. Saws provided, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms. Free refreshments, including chili, on weekends along with hot apple cider or hot chocolate plus free candy canes for the kids. Make your own wooden ornament as a memento of the tree you selected. Materials are also provided for making your own Christmas swags. Table arrangements available for purchase. Cash and checks only.
From Gresham take Highway 26 toward Sandy. Take the Boring exit and take left onto overpass. Continue and cross Orient Drive. Head east on Compton for one mile. At the stop, turn left onto 352nd. Take the first right turn onto Hauglum Road. Continue on Hauglum for one mile. Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm is on left. From Sandy: Take Bluff Road heading north past the high school for three miles. Turn left onto Hauglum Road, go half a mile to Hamburg's 4D Tree Farm on the right.
Mt. Hood Tree Farm on Harding Road in Clackamas, 503-932-7967, open weekdays from 11 a.m. to dusk, 9 a.m. to dusk on weekends from Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Nobles, Douglas firs, grands, Nordman firs and turkey firs. Saws and cutting assistance available. They'll even shake the tree, bail it and load it on your vehicle for free. Enjoy a warm fire, cider, cocoa, candy canes and cookies. From Carver, turn left on Springwater Road, follow signs to Harding Road. Take a left on Harding and follow signs to Mt. Hood Tree Farm on the right.
Sandy Farms 36210 S.E. Highway 211, Boring, just look for the big red barns, 503-668-4525. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. U-cut and we-cut trees with handsaws provided. They'll haul your tree to your car for free and help you strap it down, but bailing costs $2. Free candy canes and/or coffee and cocoa, and usually something for dogs, as well. Grands, Douglas firs and nobles.
Van Diest Farm 11221 S.E. 352nd Ave., Boring, 503-701-4580, 503 504-7012. Open weekends from dawn to dusk. From Gresham take Highway 26 east to Compton Road. Turn left on Compton and the left on 352nd Avenue and take a left at the end of the gravel road. Noble firs from 8 to 12 feet tall. Services include help cutting and tree bailing. Cash and checks only.
Multnomah CountyÂ
Christmas Nobles by Holscher's  16550 S.E. Foster Road, Gresham, just east of the Space Age Fuel, 503-328-6632. Open daily 9 a.m. to dusk Friday, Nov. 23, through Saturday, Dec. 15. U-cut, we cut, saws provided. Large selection of tall trees, 10 to more than 20 feet high, including well-shaped nobles, Nordman and grand fir trees. Smaller Fraser fir, grands, nobles and other varieties between 5 and 9 feet tall also available. Cash and checks only.
Olcott's Christmas Trees 43120 S.E. Deverell Road, Corbett, 503-695-5219. Open the Saturday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Call for week day hours, open 9 a.m. To 4 p.m. weekends. We-cut and U-cut nobles, saws are provided, free cordage/tie material, free hot cider. Seasoned firewood also available. From I-84, take exit 22 or Stark Street into Corbett. From the Corbett Fire Hall on the east end of town, travel east on Columbia River Highway 1.6 miles to Larch Mountain Road, travel a little more than three miles on Larch Mountain Road to Louden Road. Follow signs to the tree farm.
Oxbow Rim Tree Farm 34623 S.E. Homan Road, Gresham, 503-663-6815. Open Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. U-cut, we-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees. Saws provide. They'll clean, bale and load the tree for you. Tree stands also available. Nobles, Douglas-fir, grand fir and Scotch pines. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Wreaths, refreshments, gift shop with almost 4,000 ornaments, restrooms, food including hot dogs, elephant ears and more. All that plus, candy canes, balloons and wood stoves to warm your toes. The farm is located just above Oxbow Park, 18 miles east of Portland and six miles east of Gresham.