Christmas Trees for Conservation, the annual holiday pop-up tree sale hosted by the San Juan Mountains Association, began Friday.
“It’s the best event ever – because who’s not happy to come buy a Christmas tree,” said Stephanie Weber, SJMA executive director. “When it supports an organization like the San Juan Mountains Association – and a lot of the trees that we’re selling are helping to improve forest health because they’re harvested locally – it’s a win, win, win.”
The tree lot is one of SJMA’s biggest fundraisers, accounting for roughly 7.5% of the organization’s annual revenue, Weber estimated.
Hundreds of volunteer hours go into running the operation each season, including more than 100 volunteers who head into the forest on harvest day, as well as Horizon Environmental Services which provided critical transport trailers for the trees.
This year, about half the lot’s roughly 900 available trees will come directly from the San Juan National Forest, where volunteer crews selectively cut white firs and other species that act as ladder fuels.
Weber said the removal of a select number of those trees helps reduce wildfire risk and improves overall forest health.
Locals and visitors hoping to purchase a tree from SJMA this year are encouraged to stop by the lot sooner than later, as they usually sell out in a little more than two weeks after opening.
The sale runs through Dec. 22 or until all trees are sold. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays in the train parking lot near the corner of Camino del Rio and College Drive.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
