Local Christmas tree sales
Aurora: Through Tuesday, Dec. 23, Marmion Abbey's fields will be open for those who enjoy the tradition of hunting through the pines and spruces to cut down their own Christmas tree.
Marmion has thousands of trees available for $35 each and is open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. The Marmion tree farm is on Butterfield Road (Route 56) about five miles west of Junction 59 and 56 and half-mile from I-88 (exit at Farnsworth North and turn left on Butterfield).
A fresh-cut Christmas tree, well watered, will hold its needles throughout the season. Bring a small bow saw or borrow one for a deposit of $10, which will be credited to the cost of the tree when returned.
"Know what size tree you need," said Rev. Andrew Wahmhoff OSB. "Trees in the open field look smaller than they will at home."
Along with Christmas trees, wreaths handmade by Marmion students and staff are sold at the tree farm. Volunteers make the wreaths from fresh pine boughs from the fields. All profits help support the community at Marmion Abbey and their various ministries.
Visit the Abbey Tree Farm Web site at www.marmion.org/trees to download a flier and map of the tree farm or for more information call (630) 897-6936.
LaFox: The LaFox Civic Organization is continuing its tradition of selling Christmas trees. Trees will be sold from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays until Christmas. Proceeds go to community projects and a portion of the proceeds go to Lazarus House in St. Charles.
Winter jackets also are being collected for donation to local charities. A $5 tree discount will be given for all coat donations. The sale is held on LaFox Road, north of Keslinger Road and south of Route 38.
Elgin: Ziegler's Christmas Tree Farm, 42W109 McDonald Road in Elgin, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends until sold out. Available trees include balsam fir, Douglas fir, white pine, Scotch pine, Austrian pine and blue spruce up to 12 feet. Free baling and shaking of trees are provided. Prices range from $25 to $60 based on type, not size. Saws are available if needed; no chainsaws. Other items available are wreaths, garland and a gift shop. The farm is about five miles west of Randall Road. Call (847) 464-5776.
Elgin: For the 12th consecutive year, The Larkin Center at 1212 Larkin Ave., in Elgin is featuring Windy Hill Christmas Tree Farm of Wisconsin on the front lawn of its campus. Five varieties of Christmas trees ranging from four to 20 feet, as well as boughs, bows and wreaths are available while supplies last. A portion of the tree sales benefits the center. For more information, call (847) 695-5656, ext. 217, or e-mail to cvandelinder@larkincenter.org.