Tree hunting

For many families, one of the most fun parts of the holiday season is going to pick out the family Christmas tree. Size, smell and tree type all play a factor in the choosing of a Christmas tree. The St. Louis area has a number of different tree lots and vendors to choose from. "We receive our trees typically the week before Thanksgiving," Tim Smith, assistant manager of Frank's Nursery and Crafts in Kirkwood, said. "We have Frasier Firs, Douglas Firs and Scotch Pines." Smith said Frank's has been selling Christmas trees for at least 20 years, if not longer. He said the store originated as a grocery store but evolved into the store it is now. The Kirkwood Frank's is located a half mile north of interstate-44 on Lindbergh Blvd. Smith said Frank's does not just carry Christmas trees, but many other festive items as well. "We sell live and artificial trees, but that's not all," Smith said. "We also have live and artificial wreaths, live and artificial roping as well as ornaments, tree toppings and poinsettias." Smith said perhaps the most unique Christmas item they carry is a potted Christmas tree that patrons can plant in their yards and watch grow. That way, according to Smith, families can grow their own Christmas trees for a few years down the road. Smith said prices range from $19.99 for their assorted trees to $79.99 for their Cathedral trees, which are nine feet tall "and heavy." Smith also said Frank's usually sells about 600 trees per store, and there are four in the St. Louis area, over 150 nationwide. Another popular Christmas tree location is Thies Farm and Greenhouses, Inc. According to a spokeswoman for the company, they have been selling Christmas trees for almost 20 years. She said the company uses tree sales to supplement income during the winter months. She also said that there is another payoff for selling Christmas trees. "We've had a lot of kids we have watched grow up," the spokeswoman said. "We have a lot of families that come in every year to get their trees from us." She also said Thies has a varied stock of trees. They carry Balsam, Frasier and Douglas Firs as well as Con Connor, Scotch Pine and White Pine trees. Thies Farm and Greenhouses, Inc. is located at Interstate 70 and North Hanley. For more information on the tree lot, call (314) 428-9878. Perhaps the most popular place in St. Louis to get a Christmas tree is Ted Drewes. Made famous for its frozen custard, Ted Drewes Sr. and Ted Drewes Jr. decided in 1952 to supplement income with Christmas tree sales. Travis Dillon, general manager of Ted Drewes, said there are many attractive qualities of shopping at Ted Drewes for a Christmas tree. "The custard stand stays open during the winter months," Dillon said. "That way, [customers] can eat custard, have a hot fudge sundae or drink hot chocolate while they pick out their trees." Dillon said Ted Drewes' Christmas tree lot sells between 6,000 and 7,000 trees per year. They carry Balsam Fir, Frasier Fir, Scotch and White Pine trees. Prices are $10 and up. Both Ted Drewes locations will be carrying trees this year. The main branch is at 6726 Chippewa, the other location is at 4224 South Grand. For more information, call (314) 481-2652..