With the holidays approaching, Bostonians are looking to fill their homes with the festive scent of pine from fresh-cut Christmas trees.
While it can be hard for city residents to cut down their own tree, several businesses are providing fast and easy alternatives.
For those seeking a long established presence in the Boston area, Boston Christmas Trees of Allston has supplied the Boston area with fresh-cut trees since 1969 and offers Balsam and Fraser Firs.
“Business is great. The weather’s been terrific, so I think that has encouraged people,” said owner Chris Gregory. “We deal with only the small groves, sell only the freshest [trees] and our prices are competitive.”
In 2010, inspired by the Christmas tree industry of his native New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire alumnus Steve Mahoney created CityTrees, a company that delivers Christmas trees to the greater-Boston area.
Mahoney said he “felt compelled to offer a Christmas tree delivery service to busy Bostonians during the holiday rush that would not only save them time and money, but would offer them a greater selection of trees than the average tree lot,” according to the company’s website.
CityTrees gets its trees more than 200 miles north of Boston, directly from the family-run Piper Hill Tree Farm of West Stewartstown, N.H.
Customers shop online and CityTrees hand-delivers one of its “award-winning trees” to 13 cities and towns around Boston, according to its website. For an extra $10, CityTrees sets the tree up.
CityTrees has already sold out of its 4 foot to 5 foot and 5 foot to 6 foot Balsam Firs, according to its website.
Both live and artificial Christmas trees, however, are prohibited in Boston University housing, according to the residence policies on the Boston University Division of Student Affairs website.
“City of Boston fire regulations prohibit Christmas trees and similar decorations in rooms or apartments because they present fire hazards,” according to the policy.
“It’s a hard thing to monitor,” said Warren Towers Resident Assistant Chelsea Ann Merget, a College of Communication senior. “We’re not constantly going into all the rooms. It’s an honor system. To my knowledge, it has not been a big problem just yet.”
The policy also states that “due to potential fire hazards, open flames, candles and incense” are not permitted in any residence, which presents a difficulty to those wishing to have a functioning menorah for Hanukkah.
Many students said the prohibition of trees does not pose a threat to their displays of holiday spirit, but other students said they are exploring more unorthodox alternatives.
“One of my roommate’s girlfriends made a tree out of Rolling Rock and Heineken cartons,” said Sam Howe, a COM sophomore. “She cut it out, and we hung magazine clippings for ornaments.”
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