National forest christmas tree near Seattle (Issaquah, Hobart: shop, vacation, activity)

[twoincomes]

Looking ahead to the holidays. Are there places that I can go cut a decent looking Christmas tree from the forest?

I should qualify "decent looking". I'm not particuarly concerned about looks except that I want the vertical branch spacing to be 6 inches or less (rules out most Western Washington trees) and stout enough to hold decorations.

I'm not interested in u-cut tree farms, tree stands, or artificial trees. I'd like to cut naturally grown trees in the woods.

I've tried the cutting area near Crystal Mountain but these trees had more vertical branch spacing than I liked. Not sure where else to try this year.

Thanks

[Andy]

You will have to go east of the Cascades, and it will still be tough hunting. Trees in the wild aren't thinned and trimmed like tree farm trees.

[twoincomes]

Thanks. I don't need a thinned and trimmed tree, just a natural tree that doesn't have 18 inches of trunk exposed between the branches.

[Andy]

The thinning allows the tree to grow evenly and thick. In the forest, trees will have lots of exposed trunk due to lack of sunlight. And when they are thick, they tend to be lopsided, due to sun angles, which is why tree farms trim them.

You are looking for a toothpick in the forest, needle in a haystack.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by Andy

The thinning allows the tree to grow evenly and thick. In the forest, trees will have lots of exposed trunk due to lack of sunlight. And when they are thick, they tend to be lopsided, due to sun angles, which is why tree farms trim them.

You are looking for a toothpick in the forest, needle in a haystack.

The idea that someone would spend weeks hiking around looking for an unnaturally shaped, naturally grown tree is pretty amusing. Christmas is 7 weeks away. If he has the vacation time saved up and that's how he wants to spend it that's his prerogative. Does seem a bit silly though.

[flyingsaucermom]

I hope you intend to plant a new tree where you've cut one down. If tree farms are disapproving, going into the natural forest and chopping down a healthy, untouched tree for your brief, personal celebration is nothing short of a shameless abomination.

Tree farms exist and are managed as to reduce the impact of deforestation on planetary biological and physical systems. You may think that we have more than enough trees to mitigate the destructive consequences of human activity, but you would be mistaken. I hope you decide to sacrifice your cultural ideals and compromise on this issue and not expect the forest to sacrifice itself for your holiday pleasure.

End of soap box rant.

[sean98125]

Here's info and locations for tree cutting in the nearest national forest, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie. Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Home

Remember that you'll need a national forest or federal lands pass, not a Discovery Pass. Make sure you aren't cutting in protected watersheds or wilderness areas.

[Gabbythecat]

I don't think you're going to find what you are looking for in a forest. They rarely grow that way. Why don't you go and tromp around in the forest for a while so as to get the "experience" of it, and then stop at a tree farm on the way back? There are excellent trails on Tiger Mountain - close in and relatively uncrowded this time of year. Might even get some snow. Then stop at one of the tree farms in the Issaquah/Hobart area. Enchanted Woods (Forest?)is the name of one place on the Issaquah/Hobart road. They have a Santa's Workshop with gifts, warm drinks, and Port Potties. Also decent trees that you just won't find in the forest.

That way you have some forest fun while also getting the "decent" tree that you aren't likely to find elsewhere.

[Hemlock140]

There are plenty of natural, but trees in the forests. I spend time in the woods just enjoying looking at the trees, but am more interested in the gnarly trees mis-shapen by nature. As a bonsai enthusiast I sometimes collect from the mountains at high elevations, where you can't get in winter, but while those have the best bonsai potential, the best Christmas trees are at lower elevations. Permits to cut Christmas trees are a lot easier to get, than permits for digging them. Sean's link is where we used to get them, until one year the kids (now adults) asked why we couldn't get our tree at a roadside lot like everyone else.

[BellevueNative]

Exactly how tall are your ceilings? I doubt you'll find many perfectly shaped, short trees in the national forest.

You also may be looking for a tree that doesn't grow naturally in our state. Christmas tree varieties vary from region to region. In this state, most of our Christmas trees are noble firs or douglas firs.