Bobby Montanes has been buying his Christmas tree at Lane Farms for 40 years. He usually looks for a fresh Noble fir tree that will last throughout the holiday season. 

“It’s convenient and they have a nice selection,” Montanes said. 

Montanes is one of many people spending this week and weekend looking for the perfect Christmas tree for their homes. Most customers shopping for a real tree said they enjoy the smell and get a real one every year because it’s part of their family tradition. 

“Everyone’s excited this year to come out and get a Christmas tree; it’s been really good,” said John Lane, owner of Lane Farms. 

Lane Farms, at 308 S. Walnut Lane near Goleta, gets its trees from a farm in Oregon. It offers fresh Noble, Douglas and Nordmann fir trees.

Prices depend on the size of the tree; a small one can be as little as $20, while a large tree can be as much as $450.

Lane said they got a great crop of trees in this year thanks to late winter rains from earlier in the year. 

“The trees are beautiful this year because they had all those late rains up in Oregon so the trees are really healthy,” Lane said. “We haven’t seen any dry trees.”

Lane Farms keeps the trees in water and gives them a fresh cut when customers pick them out. Lane always recommends putting the trees in fresh water when customers take them home and to keep checking the water every couple of days. 

Susan and Jeff Krutzsch went to Lane Farms for the first time this year to buy their Christmas tree. They had some problems with the tree they got last year so some friends recommended they go to Lane Farms. 

“We have a very narrow spot we need to put it so we have to be really particular about which tree we pick,” said Susan Krutzsch. “We like something fresh, and I always like to touch the branches and feel that it’s a new tree and not one that’s been sitting here for awhile since we live in such a warm climate.”

Krutzsch said they usually go for a Noble fir because she thinks it makes the ornaments look better.

“We gave a lot of consideration to an artificial tree this year, but they’re expensive,” Krutzsch said. “They just aren’t the same as a good-smelling tree.”

Another place to buy live Christmas trees is Anthony’s Christmas Trees at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, where many local residents have been buying their trees for decades. 

Anthony’s, at 3400 Calle Real, offers Douglas, Nordmann and Noble firs with prices ranging based on the size of the tree. 

Patty Fling went to Anthony’s on Friday to find her tree. She said she always goes for a Noble fir because it’s easier to hang ornaments on the branches, and she also appreciates the smell of the tree. 

“It gives you a little more space whereas Douglas trees have flat branches and it’s hard to decorate,” Fling said. “I like to see my ornaments and lights.”

Fling said she’s been visiting Anthony’s for many years, though she would occasionally go to the Boy Scout lot in Goleta when her son was younger. 

“They usually have a really good selection and they also have a lot of other fun things,” Fling said. “I usually get my wreaths here at the same time.”

Other Places to Buy Christmas Trees

No matter what kind of tree you’re looking for, there are plenty of places in Santa Barbara County to find a real Christmas tree.

Boy Scout Troop 37 is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser through Dec. 16 in the parking lot of CVS, 5875 Calle Real, in the Calle Real Shopping Center.

The tree lot is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This is the troop’s main fundraiser of the year, and all the proceeds go to funding camps and leadership activities.

Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, at 415 E. Gutierrez St., has been selling Christmas trees for nearly 40 years with about 1,400 Noble firs expected to be sold this year, owner Gary Simpson told Noozhawk.

Big Wave Dave’s will be selling trees at 3865 State St., at La Cumbre Plaza in the Macy’s lower parking lot, until Dec. 23. Dave’s offers Nordmann fir, Natural Silver Tip, Grand fir, Fraser fir, Douglas fir and Noble fir.

For North County residents, Agin Family Christmas Trees has locations in Buellton and Santa Ynez. It sells Noble, Douglas, Nordmann, grand and Fraser firs. It’s located at 3450 Baseline in Santa Ynez and 270 Industrial Way in Buellton.

Trees are also available at big-box stores such as Home Depot throughout the county, and at various retail nurseries.