Christmas tree hunting season has once again arrived for Portlanders who celebrate, and as the state that produces the most Christmas trees in the country, there are plenty of farms and lots around to find your ideal holiday centerpiece. 

One popular option for the hardiest among us is getting a $5 permit and finding your Christmas tree on national forestland. Permits are available at local vendors, including Sportsman’s Warehouse in Portland, Ace Heritage Hardware in Sandy, and other locations, or online, where you can also find maps of where you can and cannot hunt for trees. Through the federal government's Every Kid Outdoors program, fourth graders can get the $5 permit for free at the Zigzag Ranger Station (open for limited walk-up service) or online. (Note that all online orders also incur a processing fee.)  

But if you aren’t the kind of person who owns a Swede saw and a vehicle ready for snowy forest roads, here are a few spots to check out instead. Just note that many local tree farmers are reporting a shortage of trees this year and expect to run out of usable stock quickly. 

Pollard Ranch 

13225 NW Skyline Blvd 
Pollard Ranch, opened in 2010, offers U-cut, fresh-cut, and delivery options for their sustainably grown Christmas trees. Pick from noble, Douglas, grand, and Nordmann firs, which start at $35 for cut-your-own. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Fri–Sun

Plumper Pumpkin Patch & Tree Farm 

11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd 
A giant selection of trees, plus wreaths, fire pits to make your own s’mores, a farm store with homemade pumpkin doughnuts, and a whole lot of animals you can feed. You can get precut or U-cut noble, grand, Nordmann, or Blue Spruce for $12 a foot, or Douglas for $10 a foot. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri–Sun, through Dec 18

Zurbrugg Christmas Trees

16875 NW Germantown Rd, Portland ($55 flat rate)
A U-pick farm, with grand, noble, and Nordmann firs on offer. Show up on any day any time during daylight hours to handpick and hand-cut your tree. (Employees are available to lend a helping hand).

Nob Hill 

2034 NW 26th Ave 

Nob Hill started selling locally sourced Christmas trees in 2013. They cut only what they think they can sell week by week, and unsold trees become wreaths or even mulch for next year’s stock. You can preorder or get your tree delivered to simplify the tree hunt. Douglas fir trees cost $45 to $140, and noble firs cost $60 to $260, depending on color and size. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri–Mon

Thorntons’ Treeland 

7617 NE 119th St, Vancouver 
Glen and Nancy Thornton sold their first tree in 1974 and have been at it ever since; these days, they work alongside their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Grab some free coffee or hot chocolate after picking the perfect tree. You can also find barn animals around the farm waiting to be fed and pet, or grab a hay ride. Trees are individually priced. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat–Sun

Beaverton Holiday U-Cut Tree Farm  

5365 SW 209th Avenue, Beaverton  

The family-owned farm has been operating six acres of pesticide-free Douglas fir trees since 1978. It is only open for one weekend this holiday season, on November 26 and 27. Saws, twine, and tree shaking are provided on site. All of the trees, regardless of size, cost $60. 9 a.m.–4 p.m, Nov 26–27

Logan Tree Farm 

5415 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy (at Alberston’s) & 15005 NW Cornell Rd (at Dinihanian’s Farm Market), Beaverton 
Logan Tree Farm has been selling trees through three generations for over 60 years, and began to sell holiday wreaths and garlands in the 1980s. They offer Nordmann, noble, grand, and Douglas firs. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily

Furrow Farm 

25877 NW West Union Rd, Hillsboro  
In operation for more than 30 years, Furrow Farm offers noble, Nordmann, grand, and Douglas firs. Tree varieties include noble, Nordmann, and grand firs for $11 per foot, or $9 per foot for Douglas firs. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat–Sun

Helvetia Christmas Tree Farm  

12814 NW Bishop Rd, Hillsboro

Due to a tree shortage from the damage of the 2020 heat wave, Helvetia Christmas Tree Farm will only offer U-cut for one weekend after Thanksgiving. Pre-cut Christmas trees will be available on the final days of the season (December 3–4). U-Cut trees cost $70, pre-cut cost $60, and Douglas firs cost $45. While you wait for your tree to be shaken and baled, which costs an extra $5, explore the farm’s gift shop, hang out by the open fire pit with refreshments and free marshmallows, or snap a photo with Santa in his sleigh. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Nov 25–27 and Dec 3–4

Harrison Road Farm 

37603 Harrison Rd, Banks 
This conservation-focused tree farm prioritizes wildlife preservation, native plant growth and groundwater protection. You’ll find noble firs ($75 per tree, any size) and Douglas firs ($45 per tree, any size), as well as handmade wreaths for $25. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun through Dec 11, depending on stock

Rainy Mountain Farms 

49400 SE Marmot Rd, Sandy 
Rainy Mountain Farms plants around 1,000 trees each year, mainly noble firs. You’ll find loaner saws, and though there are no balers this year due to a limited number of trees, the farm offers twine to tie the tree to your car. Trees cost $50 regardless of size. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat–Sun, while supplies last (check website for updates; the farm is expecting to sell out over the Thanksgiving weekend)

U-Cut Christmas Trees Pacific Northwest Nobles 

24730 NW Dixie Mountain Rd, North Plains 
U-Cut Nobles, which started selling U-cut trees in 1996, offers all the supplies you’ll need to take the best noble tree home, including saws, step stools, and twine to tie it all up. Only trees under 10 feet tall will be available. All trees are Noble firs and cost $80. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Fri–Sun through Dec 4

Sleighbells of Sherwood 

23855 SW 195th Pl, Sherwood 
Although it’s tough to tear yourself away from the well-stocked holiday gift shop, Sleighbells sells precut noble, Nordmann, Douglas, and grand firs for $12 per foot. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., through December 23