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Vancouver and Lower Mainland area charities and community groups are great places to buy Christmas trees from during the holiday season.
Other great places are local Christmas tree farms where you can cut down the tree yourself.
This article lists places you can find trees for sale that benefit local charities most years. There is also a list of Lower Mainland farms that you can drive out to and pick out a fresh tree. And towards the bottom of this page are tips on what to look for in a Christmas tree and how to dispose of it at the end of the season.
Click on any of the following to skip to a specific section:
Lions Clubs Tree Lots | Aunt Leah’s Place | Scouts Christmas Tree Sales | UBC Christmas Trees | Christmas Tree Farms | Tips & Advice | Other Information
This December why not get into the Christmas spirit of giving and purchase a tree at a location that supports local charitable causes? Check out our list below for the best places to buy Christmas trees where proceeds go to worthy charities.
Most non-profit organizations have their Christmas tree sales during the last weekend of November and the first couple of weekends in December. Sometimes they are open longer, and sometimes shorter. Places generally remain open for business until they sell out (which often means by the middle of December if not earlier).
Organizations that usually sell Christmas trees in the Lower Mainland as part of their fundraising efforts include Lions Clubs, Aunt Leah’s and Scouts groups. The UBC Forestry Undergraduate Society at the University of British Columbia also usually sells Christmas trees.
Lions Clubs Tree Lots
Lions Clubs around the Lower Mainland host yearly Christmas tree sales to raise funds for community programs and local charities. A few of Metro Vancouver’s local Lions Clubs and their Christmas tree-selling locations are listed below.
Lynn Valley Lions Club (North Vancouver)
Christmas tree sales are run by the Lynn Valley Lions Club every year. Proceeds from sales are donated to local community organizations and schools.
The Lions Club hosts its “Christmas in the Canyon” event in 2024. People can enjoy the outdoors by taking a stroll through Lynn Canyon Park on their way to pick out a tree. Sales begin at 4:00 pm on November 29th this year and run until the trees sell out. Daily hours are from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm.
Note: Similar to the Tiddlycove Lions Club at Ambleside, this group usually does tree chipping after Christmas in addition to its pre-Christmas tree selling. Click Vancouver Tree Chipping Locations for information about the organization’s fundraising event in early January.
For the latest details, click Lynn Valley Lions Club Tree Sales.
Vancouver South Lions Club (Vancouver)
The Vancouver South Lions Club has been hosting their Christmas Tree Sale for a long time. 2024 marks the 61st annual event. Proceeds benefit Dog Guides, local students in need, sports clubs and other local organizations.
The sale takes place at John Oliver High School, located at the corner of East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street in Vancouver. In 2024 the event runs daily from November 29th until December 18th. Weekday hours are from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, whereas weekend hours are from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tree prices depend on the size and type of tree you want.
For more information, visit the Vancouver South Lions Club website.
Ambleside Tiddlycove Lions Club (West Vancouver)
Taking place at the Ambleside Park parking lot in West Vancouver, the Ambleside Tiddlycove Lions Club sells trees for a range of prices (all depending on the tree’s height and variety). Proceeds from the sale benefit local charities.
Ambleside Park is located at 1180 Argyle Avenue, right at the base of 13th Street in West Vancouver. Trees go on sale at the lot on Saturday, November 29th in 2024. The lot is open Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The trees at the Tiddlycove Lions Club event are usually all from BC and mostly from the Cultus Lake and Chilliwack regions of the Fraser Valley (plus some from Pemberton and Merritt).
Also, the trees usually come with a hole drilled up into the bottom of the trunk which helps the tree soak up water and fit the stands that the volunteers have for sale. The types of trees on sale usually vary depending on how late in the season it is. Some trees are on sale earlier and some later. For example, grand fords arrive later in the season.
See our article about Tree Chipping Locations for more information, or visit the Ambleside Tiddlycove Lions website.
Aunt Leah’s Place
Aunt Leah’s Place is a local charity that supports children in foster care as well as young mothers in need. The charity celebrates its 31st year of selling Christmas trees in 2024. The Christmas tree lots in Vancouver Kerrisdale, Burnaby and Coquitlam open on November 22nd and 23rd this year.
There’s usually a large selection of Christmas trees available at Aunt Leah’s and its various locations. The organization sells a variety of fir and spruce trees that range in price from around $12 per foot up to $19 or so. Also available are a variety of tree stands, holiday wreaths, planters and additional items.
Locations and Hours
There are three Aunt Leah’s Place locations selling Christmas trees in 2024. The tree lots are in Kerrisdale, Burnaby and Coquitlam. The lot in Kerrisdale opens on Friday, November 22nd, while the lots in Burnaby and Coquitlam open on Saturday, November 23rd.
- Burnaby – at All Saints Anglican Church at 7405 Royal Oak Avenue. Hours of operation are from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Friday through Sunday.
- Coquitlam – at Eagle Ridge United Church at 2183 Glen Drive. This location’s hours are from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday to Thursday and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Kerrisdale/Marpole – at St. Stephens United Church at 7025 Granville Street. Hours of operation are from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm every day of the week.
Trees sold at Aunt Leah’s locations are usually from British Columbia, Washington or Oregon. The different venues also have stands for sale most years for about $30 to $40.
Click Aunt Leah’s Christmas Trees for more information.
Scouts Christmas Tree Sales
Another group of organizations that often runs tree sales near Christmas time is the Scouts Clubs. All funds raised from tree sales go back into the community to fund programs for boys and girls. Check out the two North Shore clubs selling trees for the holidays listed below. At least a few other Scouts groups in other parts of the Lower Mainland are likely selling trees too.
11th Seymour Scouts (North Vancouver)
In North Vancouver, the 11th Seymour Scouts operates its annual Christmas tree fundraiser at 489 Dollarton Highway.
The trees at the Seymour Scouts lot usually range in price from about $70 up to $170 depending on the size. Three types of trees are on sale in 2024 – Fraser Firs, Grand Firs and Noble Firs.
The tree lot opens on Friday, November 22nd this year. Hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Click 11th Seymour Scouts Christmas Trees for more information.
North Shore Scouts (West Vancouver)
The North Shore scouts usually holds its annual tree lot in West Vancouver. In 2024, it takes place at Park Royal Mall, just west of the London Drugs.
The tree lot is open from November 23rd to December 23rd this year. Hours of operation are from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, click North Shore Scouts Christmas Trees.
UBC Christmas Trees
The UBC Forestry Undergraduate Society runs an annual Christmas tree sale. The event started in 2006 but sadly hasn’t happened since 2019. All proceeds raised from sales of trees usually go to the Forestry Undergraduate Society and a portion is donated to both the UBC Farm and the Forests Without Borders initiative. In years when the event does take place, tree sales go until they are sold.
The sale’s status for 2024 is to be confirmed. Click UBC Christmas Trees for details.
Christmas Tree Farms
While not charitable groups, there are a variety of farms (mostly in the Fraser Valley) that sell Christmas trees. Visiting these places is a great way to get a Christmas tree while also supporting local!
Below is a list of a few of the farms that offer u-cut and/or pre-cut Christmas trees. Most are open in 2024.
(Note: Information below is subject to change. See vendor websites for the most up-to-date information.)
Metro Vancouver Farms
- Fort Langley – Dogwood Christmas Tree Farm at 8589 252nd Street. This place features around 20 acres of trees and has been operating for about 60 years, so it’s well-known in the area. It’s open daily from November 30th, 2024, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.
- Langley – Aldor Acres Farm at 8249 252nd Street has trees for sale from November 30th until December 22nd in 2024. Weekday hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, while weekend hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Another Langley venue this year is the Oh Christmas Tree Farm at 21858 Maxwell Crescent. It’s open daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, beginning November 16th, 2024.
- Maple Ridge – Alouette Tree Farm at 23083 132nd Avenue sells Christmas trees in 2024. The place is open on November 22nd to 24th, November 29th to December 1st, and again from December 7th to 9th. Friday hours are from noon to 5:00 pm, whereas weekend hours were from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Surrey – Red Truck Trees at 18630 2nd Avenue opens on November 21st in 2024. The sale runs from noon to 6:00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It’s open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Fraser Valley Farms
- Abbotsford – Bough and Branch Farm at 28339 Downes Road sells trees by invitation in 2024 (except for people needing huge trees).
- Chilliwack – Woodsong Christmas Trees at 701 Blatchford Road opens in 2024 on November 16th and 17th, 23rd and 24th and then again from November 30th to December 22nd. Hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For a more comprehensive list of farms with Christmas trees in the Vancouver area, click Lower Mainland Christmas Trees.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips, suggestions and additional information to help you with your Christmas tree-shopping endeavours.
Tree Farms & Charities
TIP #1: Buy your Christmas tree from a charity if you can. The money goes to a worthwhile cause (and giving is an important part of Christmas).
TIP #2: Yes, you can usually buy cheaper Christmas trees at supermarkets and big-box stores. If you want to do this, instead of buying from a non-profit fundraising event or local farm, consider donating the money you save to a charitable cause. You can even get a tax receipt for your generosity.
Selection, Supply and What to Look For
TIP #1: Looking for a tree that won’t lose its leaves for a long time? Frasers and Nobles are the best trees as they last the longest. They are also some of the prettiest trees, most labour intensive to grow and most expensive. If you plan to set up your Christmas tree in late November or the beginning of December, and you want it to still look good on December 25th and beyond, pay the small extra fee and get a Noble or a Fraser.
TIP #2: Tall trees have been in short supply all across the Lower Mainland in recent years. If you want a tall tree, and you see one, buy it right away! If you wait a while in the hopes of finding another one you might end up being disappointed.
TIP #3: The selection of trees at different venues changes over time as the trees don’t all arrive at the beginning and in the same initial delivery. If you don’t see the tree you want on the first weekend, there won’t necessarily be less of a selection the following weekend (although that can be the case towards the very end of the tree-selling season).
Environmental Things to Consider
TIP #1: According to organizations like the Sierra Club of BC, you need to use the same artificial tree up to 20 years or more to be more environmentally responsible than using a real tree every year. So real trees can be the more earth-friendly option than fake trees (but only if they are disposed of responsibly at the end of each season).
TIP #2: The best way of disposing of a real Christmas tree is to have it turned into mulch (like at a Tree Chipping Event that charities sometimes do at the end of the holiday season). One of the worst things to do is to just drop it off at the dump.
TIP #3: The most environmentally-friendly real trees are ones that are grown locally. Ones that are imported from far away have a much higher carbon footprint because of their transportation requirements. Trees that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides are also obviously preferable (both for you and the environment).
TIP #4: Real trees look better, smell better and, in most cases, are much better for the environment than artificial trees (which can contain toxic substances). If you buy one that is grown locally you also get a tree with a lower environmental footprint, and more of your dollars remain in the local community.
TIP #5: Ask the tree seller where their trees come from. Most are grown in BC, Washington or Oregon.
And One Last Tip
TIP #1: Before taking the tree into your house, give it a good shake first to get rid of any bugs. There probably won’t be any, but very occasionally there are. Some people even give their trees a bit of a vacuuming.
Other Information
The above are just a few examples of where to buy Christmas trees from charitable organizations in the Lower Mainland. Look out for other places in your area.
Other articles that may be of interest include the following:
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