Where To Find A Christmas Tree In Old Town Alexandria In 2023

ALEXANDRIA, VA — It’s still early, but if you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Old Town Alexandria area tree growers.

Here are a few places to start:

Alexandria Police Youth Camp Christmas Tree Sale: 110 Callahan Dr., Alexandria, VA. Christmas tree sales start on Nov. 24 and will continue until Dec. 16. Sales support the Alexandria Police Youth Camp. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.

Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees: Trinity United Methodist Church - 2911 Cameron Mills Rd., Alexandria, VA 22302. Due to a tree shortage, the Christmas tree sale will be open a limited time from Dec. 1 to 10.

Greenstreet Gardens: 1721 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA and 5905 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA. Pick out a Christmas tree, fresh greens, wreaths, roping, garlands and other holiday decorations.

Fairlington United Methodist Church Christmas Tree Sale, 3900 King St, Alexandria, VA. This Christmas tree sale will begin on Nov. 30 and continue until trees are sold out.

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church: 8531 Riverside Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308. This Christmas tree sale in Fort Hunt is in its 13th year and opened the day after Thanksgiving. The sale offers trees of all sizes, decorated wreaths and garland, a fire, s'mores, tree handlers, and full staffing on weekends. A staged "Classic Christmas" photo area for families is available on Sundays.

Washington Farm United Methodist Church: 3921 Old Mill Rd., Alexandria, VA. The Christmas Tree Project raises money to support the community through the church's ministry and mission. It will open on Saturday, Nov. 25. Stay tuned on the church's website for updates.

Lowes: 6750 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA. Pick out a fresh Christmas tree at this home improvement store.

Home Depot: 400 S. Pickett St. Alexandria, VA, 7710 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA or 6555 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA. Christmas trees, wreaths, garland and holiday plants are sold at this home improvement store.

Meadow Farms Nurseries: 4808 Backlick Rd, Annandale, VA and other locations in Northern Virginia. Christmas trees, wreaths and other greenery are available to purchase.

Last year, the median price for trees purchased directly from a grower was about $93, according to PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org. About 26 million live trees were sold last year, compared to 27.4 million in 2018.

A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association, an industry trade group, shows that of the 94 percent of Americans who plan to put up a Christmas tree this year, 23 percent will display a live tree.

Last year, live tree prices increased about 10 percent, largely due to inflation and drought, according to industry experts.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — are expected to translate to slightly higher 2023 Christmas tree prices, according to a report from Country Folks Grower, a business-to-business publication serving fresh market and ornamental crops.

“A lot can happen in a half dozen years that can change the outlook for a Christmas tree crop from one season to the next,” the report said. “Farmers will be facing challenges in the 2023 Christmas tree season brought about by developments over the past several years.”

At any given moment, about 350 million Christmas trees are growing on tree farms across the country.

It typically takes a tree between six and eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating. Large trees — those 7 feet and taller — may be in short supply because sales of smaller trees have been strong in recent years, the report said. Also, people may need to settle for a different species than they’re accustomed to buying.