East Trail had that familiar scent of Christmas in the air on Wednesday, as the Trail Kiwanis Club, with help from the Trail Smoke Eaters, unloaded over a thousand trees into its Butler Park locale.
For over 50 years, the Trail Kiwanis Club has sold Christmas trees, its biggest fundraiser, and put all the profits back into over 30 community charities.
“All money that is raised here, stays here,” said Brian Pipes, long time tree-seller for the Kiwanis.
The trees will be for sale from Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, or until they run out.
This year, the fragrant balsam firs were shipped to Trail from the Pine Meadows Tree Farm in Chilliwack.
In addition to the balsam, the group is selling Douglas firs that were supplied from the East Kootenay Tree Service in Fort Steele.
Prices range from $15 for a smaller fir tree to $125 for a larger sheared or cultured specimen. The Kiwanis will be selling trees Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday until 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be a box on site, for non-perishable food items, with all donations going to the Trail United Church food bank.
According to forestry.com, a tree is best kept in regular tap water. Commercially prepared additives that may contain aspirin or sugar are not needed. Research has shown that just plain water will keep a tree fresh.