The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Finding the perfect live Christmas tree can be a stressor each holiday season. With 25-30 million live trees for sale in the United States annually, there are a lot of choices. Then there are considerations of the type of tree needed, size of the room where the tree will be displayed, shape to fit in the usable space and even what variety of tree for the natural aroma desired. It's a lot of choices. It gets even more complicated when the tree is for a church and ultimately everyone gets to be a 'tree critic.'

Don and Tanis Ross, who live out on Clear Creek Road south of Chinook, have been providing a tree each Christmas season for the Chinook Presbyterian Church for many years. They decided to make the annual tree selection and cutting, a group event this year, inviting the entire congregation to come and help gather the tree. It turned out to be a great experience for the people who made the jaunt south, especially the kids.

The outing was set for a Sunday afternoon, which turned out to be one of those amazing winter afternoons with snow on the ground, a cloudless sky, no wind and mild temperatures. Heading to the base of the Bear Paws the temperatures actually warmed, a not uncommon phenomenon the Ross's told us.

The Ross's met the group at the end of their lane. The couple were on four-wheelers, alternating opening and closing gates as the small convoy of pickups and a farm flatbed made their way to the starting point for the tree hunt. Because of the snow the final phase of the trip, up into the wooded hills, was on foot, a bit of a climb but an invigorating hike with beautiful views south across the Clear Creek valley.

Don Ross had reconnoitered an area where he believed some good choices for trees were available. While the group gathered to climb up to the trees and make a selection, the four kids in tow decided they would stay at the bottom of the hill and ride a sled they had brought.

After much huffing and puffing, the group of tree cutters arrived and began sizing up the trees-so many choices. First problem, "how big a tree?" Based on the Ross's past experience, Don said, "If you go much over ten feet it won't work, and one slightly flat side is good since the tree has to fit against a wall." The group was somewhat challenged by sizing a tree since even a 20-footer looks small amongst a group of giant eergreens.

A first choice was identified, but then there was all the side-hilling trips back and forth to check others to make sure the best tree was selected. Which one should it be? A final choice was made. Don pulled a tape measure out of his pocket and gingerly worked it up from base to the top...a perfect 10 footer.

When he pulled what can only be described as a 'big pocket knife saw' out of his pocket, the group groaned, they could see a long afternoon of sawing to get through a serious looking trunk. "Or," Don said, "I brought this, also." He pulled a battery-powered sawzall from a bag on his four-wheeler and the group cheered. Obviously Don enjoyed a little "Christmas tree cutting humor" moment. It was clear this was not his first Christmas tree cutting gig. He made short work of cutting the tree.

Ross was geared up for a sunny day, a headlamp if the group got caught out after dark and all the cutting and measuring tools necessary to find a tree that was "just right."

Once the tree was dragged down the slope, the next decision was "drag or haul" the tree back to the pickups. Again the Ross's experience was sought for a solution. Don said he would lay the tree across the bed of his side-by-side and that would save the tiny cones from getting knocked off or branches getting broken.

The group arrived back at the starting point, greeted by cups of hot chocolate Tanis had thoughtfully stowed on her four wheeler. The chocolate perked up the group and the kids decided to make a few more sled runs while the adults loaded the tree for the trip back to town.

Back at the church a couple of ladies had prepared chili and soup for a post trip warmup. The Ross's also joined for the food and evaluation of the outing. It was unanimous that it was a great afternoon and a great trip.

When it was suggested that the tree be put in the stand and set up for decorating later in the week, someone commented, "I'm ready to go rest, we can put the tree up tomorrow." That seemed a general consensus as the group headed home. And likely those four little sleigh riders slept well. For that matter, pretty good bet the adults did as well.