Fequently Asked Questions

Q. How do we get our Christmas tree at Patchen.
A. It's really easy. You just walk around in the fresh mountain air until you see the perfect one for your living room and cut it down. If you need help finding it, cutting it, carrying it, putting it in or on top of your car. We can do all of that for you. Your job is to have fun.

Q. What kind of trees do you have?
A. We grow mostly Monterey Pine, Douglas Fir and Sierra Redwoods. The pines are the long needle ones that smell really good. The short needle Douglas Fir are the traditional trees that everyone remembers from childhood. The Redwoods are the slightly bluefish colored ones that look so perfectly shaped.

Q. Do you have Nobles ?
A. Noble and the other "true firs" like Silver Tips and others are native to much colder climates and don't grow very well in these mountains. They are shipped in from Oregon and tend to be pretty expensive. The best place to get those is at a tree lot in the city.

Q. What are the trees that have the sparse branches that stick straight out ?
A. Those are the California Red Fir, known as the "Silver Tip". Like the White Fir, Nobel Fir, Frasier Fir and the many other "true firs", they don't thrive in this climate so the best place to find them is at a lot in town.

Q. Do you have Scotch pine ?
A. Scotch Pine grow mostly in the eastern part of the country but we have Monterey Pine, which looks very similar and smells great.

Q. How much are your trees per foot ?
A. For trees and up to and including 8 feet tall, the Pines and Redwoods are $40.00 plus tax and the Firs are $50.00 plus tax. Larger trees over 8 feet tall are $6.00 per foot regardless of the species.

Q. We are on a tight budget; what are the best price trees ?
A. Some of the farms offer discount coupons and we accept any of those coupons for full face value. We also offer to pay the sales tax for you if you pay cash. If you are willing to drive further into the mountains and compromise on the quality we will be happy to direct you to places with lower prices.

Q. How long does it take for a tree to grow ?
A. An eight foot tree is probably 5 to 8 years old. Some species grow faster and the time depends greatly on how well the trees are cared for.

Q. Why do you leave all of those branches on the stump when the tree is cut ?
A. We ask customers to leave at least 5 or 6 branches, each bigger than a finger. That is enough to keep the stump alive so that it can grow a new tree in a few years. Some of these stumps have produced 4 or 5 trees and are still prospering.

Q. Do we need to bring a saw or can we bring our chainsaw?
A. We have saws for you. Our insurance will not permit us to allow customers to use their chainsaws. However, we will be happy to cut the tree of your choice and carry it down the hill for you.

Q. Do we need to call before coming?
A. No, come anytime during the daylight hours, 7 days a week between the Friday following Thanksgiving and the last Sunday before Christmas. Someone will be here to help you select that perfect tree.

Q. Why don't you have the plastic netting like all the other farms and lots?
A. We stopped using the plastic netting many years ago because so many people objected to the environmental problems associated with it. Instead we use natural hemp twine to bail your tree and tie it on your car.

Q. What if we get home and realize that we have lost a glove, camera, keys, etc. at Patchen?
A. You just give us a call and we will send someone out to look for it. You can also send us an email at jim@patchen.ca. There is a Lost & Found page on this website where found items get posted.