Wreaths, Wisconsin Firs For Sale At Palos Lions Christmas Tree Lot

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — The Palos Lions Club’s 24th annual Christmas tree sale has officially begun with high quality, affordable trees for sale in the Old National Bank parking lot at 127th Street and Harlem Avenue, Palos Heights.

Lot hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The trees were cut a week ago by a local farmer outside of Green Bay, Wis. The Lions began selling trees on Saturday, and will continue selling up to Dec. 11, or until the trees run out.

“The trees this year have a great aroma,” Palos Lions Club member Dennis Hyker said. “Our balsams have an evergreen scent. The Canaans, which are a hybrid between balsams and Frasers, have a citrus-piney scent that just fills the house.”

For 23 years, the Palos Lions Club has brought the Christmas spirit into Palos homes by selling fresh, truly green trees, which are grown by the farmer organically without chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Trees start at $45 for 5 to 6-foot tall balsam, fraser and canaan firs. For the first time in two years, the Lions have some 10- to 12-footers that are priced at $220 to $240. The Lions sold ten of the big trees on opening day Saturday, but still have 15 left.

“If you have a great room, we have a tree for you,” Hyker said.

In addition to trees, the Palos Lions are selling fresh wreaths, and are one of the few venues around the south suburbs that are carrying 36-inch wreaths. All of the club’s greenery sells out in a few weeks, and is competitively priced.

“These aren’t factory farm grown trees like you find at Walmart,” said Hyker. “Our wreaths are top end and very thick.”

A 24-inch wreath is selling for $35, and $65 for a 36-inch wreath.

The Palos Lions are shooting to sell out in two weeks. On Saturday, the lot sold 100 trees, including all the Charlie Brown trees.

“They’re a natural, minimalist tree, untrimmed,” Hyker said. “They’re cut the way they grow. People like them.”

And while Christmas is still over a month away, Hyker said just leave the trees outside until you’re ready to bring them inside to trim them.

“Just keep them in water and give them a fresh cut before you bring them into the house,” Hyker said. “Our tree last year lasted until mid-January.”

The annual Christmas tree sale is the Palos Lions biggest fundraiser of the year. The lot is operated entirely by volunteers and all proceeds are donated to local charities and individuals facing financial hardship. The Lions also contribute to their regular charities supporting the blind and visually impaired.

Some of the local charities the 74-year-old club has supported include the Center of Palos Park, Crisis Center, Special Olympics Illinois, Christmas food gift cards, Together We Cope Food Pantry, Heartland Service Dogs, local high school scholarships, Kruse’s Krew and Ukrainian support funds.

“We literally just give the money away,” Hyker said. “Every dime we make goes to local charities.”

For more information about the Palos Lions Club tree lot, email Dennis Hyker, DHyker57@gmail.com.