Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Tis the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly, a Christmas tree, poinsettias and more. There are plenty of options out there in Alexandria. Here's a look (and be sure to check out tips below on how to care for your tree once you have it home):

• Alexandria Police Department: The tree sale that sends Alexandria kids to YMCA / APYC Camp Kekoka is open until 8 p.m. daily, beside Union Station at 110 Callahan Drive. Be sure to take photos with the Alexandria officers or your decorated tree, then tag APD and the youth camp #APYCTree Each year, hundreds of trees are brought to Alexandria from West Virginia for the APYC benefit. For more than 65 years, AYPC has offered more than 15,000 children a place to meet friends, try new adventures and participate in character-building activities and its Kilmarnock camp. Christmas tree sale hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• St. Clement's Church: Without the funds raised by these sales, the church at 1701 N. Quaker Lane would not be able to do much of the outreach services they do. Many volunteers staff this annual fund-raiser. Sale hours are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 12 noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.
• Bishop Ireton Crew sells Christmas trees at Fannon Field at the school this weekend. Hours are: Friday 6-8 p.m., Saturday ( 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.), and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The school is located at 201 Cambridge Road.
• Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees: Now in its 34th year, the family-owned Almost Heavenly is selling Christmas trees this year at Landmark Mall at 5801 Duke Street from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Almost Heavenly will also be in the North Ridge neighborhood this weekend (Friday-Sunday) on 2911 Cameron Mills Road. Hours are Friday 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m.
• Greenstreet Gardens a family-owned garden shop, has two Alexandria locations: 1721 W. Braddock Road and 1503 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You'll find Christmas trees, Poinsettia plants, wreaths and much more in a festive atmosphere.
• Home Depot, 400 S. Pickett St. Hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Tips for caring for your tree (courtesy of the National Christmas Tree Association):

When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your tree. Below are a number of tips on caring for your tree:

1. Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
2. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.
3. Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
4. Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.
5. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.
6. Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don't bruise the cut surface or get it dirty. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water.
7. The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake.
8. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
9. Keep trees away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
10. Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.
11. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.
12. Do not overload electrical circuits.
13. Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.
14. Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is very dry, remove it from the house.
15. Visit the Tree Recycling page to find a recycling program near you.
16. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

Do you have another location to add or Christmas tree tip? Email maryann.barton@patch.com

PHOTO from Patch archive