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Are you getting ready for a holly, jolly Hell’s Kitchen Christmas? Here’s where to snap up a holiday evergreen without hauling it back from New Jersey.
But first, a quick primer on this year’s offerings:
Most tree stands sell a combination of Fraser Fir — made of sturdy, thick branches with good needle retention (aka, less vacuuming), Balsam Fir (great holiday scent!) or the Cook Fir (a hybrid of the two). Trees range between 3-4 feet (perfect for your tabletop) up to as high as 16 feet (perfect for your building’s lobby).
And for the Seamless addicts out there — yes, they all deliver! Happy shopping!
West End Forest — W60th Street, corner of West End Avenue
Stop by the cozy cottage near Waterline Square where Frederick Maren and Alexis Boudreau — now in their second year with West End Forest — have set up their holiday shop, offering Balsam, Fraser Fir and Cook Fraser Fir originating from New Brunswick, Canada. Their most popular sizes (six to seven foot tall trees) go for about $250, though they’ll negotiate on trees that have bald patches or need some love – “each tree is a little different in terms of price,” Frederick said. And if you’re looking for a unique holiday gift or just want to spiff up your tree, the team at West End Forest will make you a custom painted ornament in one to two hours turnaround time!
Balsley Park — 9th Avenue between W56th and W57th Streets
Be sure to visit Darden Pitts —now in his third year at the Balsley Park Christmas tree market — for a chance to snag a top-notch Fraser Fir or a Cook Fraser Fir from Quebec, Canada. Darden says that the best-selling six to eight foot trees range between $175 and $425 for the “Mercedes Benz of Christmas trees”. A popular throughway for West Siders, they are expecting a busy holiday season and will be receiving shipments of 30-100 new trees every few days, storing as many as 250 trees at any given time. Bonus: for midnight shoppers, the Balsley Park crew operates 24 hours a day!
Hudson Market Place — W51st Street between 9th and 10th Avenue
Over at Hudson Market Place, you can grab a six to seven foot Balsam from Canada for between $90-$120 — it’s extra for your coffee and bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. The team told W42ST that hyper-local deliveries are also possible, dependent on staffing availability.
7 Brothers Deli — W49th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue
Place an order with Arturo Manuel of 7 Brothers Deli for a six to seven foot tall Balsam or Fraser Fir, shipped in regularly from Canada and available for around $75. The deli team will deliver between W42nd and W57th Street.
Pascual Fresh Flowers — W47th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue
Longtime Hell’s Kitchen florist Pascual De La Rosa has added Christmas trees into the mix this year, selling five to six foot Blue Balsam Firs from Canada for around $100 each. Pascual told us that his team can coordinate local deliveries and that they were hoping for a busy first Christmas tree season!
NYC Trees – 10th Avenue between W43rd and W44th Street
Now in its 10th year in business, Christmas tree king and public school teacher Harold DeLucia is back in action on 10th Avenue, selling a massive selection of Fraser Firs from North Carolina. DeLucia told us that their most popular size, the six to seven foot tree, is priced at about $130, and that they are able to deliver to all five boroughs, New Jersey and Westchester County. Selling nearly 300 trees a day via online and in-person sales, DeLucia and his team at NYC Trees – many of whom are former students and rugby alumni from Columbia Preparatory School in Morningside Heights – receive shipments of 500-600 trees every five days and can have as many as 1,000 trees on hand at any given time. And while their six to seven footers are still the best seller, team member Danny Hubbard added that they do regularly sell 16-17 footers: “you’d be surprised as to how many high ceilings there are in New York.”
Where’s your favorite place to pick up trees in the holidays? Share your best finds, tips and prices in the comments section below.
Whole Foods. 41st and 6th. Very nice Tall trees looking up to 9 feet or so are $69.99
Home Depot. Anything over $80-$100 for a Christmas tree is a rip off.
Only the big corporation like Walmart, Whole Foods, Home Depot or seasonal sellers who buy directly from the farm they can offer better or low price but why not support the small business that need to survive which the High cost of the rent and the products.