Marblehead Boy Scout Troop Selling Christmas Trees To Raise Funds

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Boys Scouts Troop 11 members will be out in front of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church this weekend selling trees to benefit the Troop and its year-round activities.

The scouts will be out and about to help residents pick the perfect pine (or Balsam Firs to be specific) on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. They will then be out from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays while inventory lasts this holiday season.

Residents can reserve a tree and select it on pick-up day on the Troop 11 website here stop by and shop the lot during operating hours.

Unsheared trees are usually grown in more of a forest setting and are not regularly groomed. Unsheared trees are usually slightly less dense and may have some uneven areas of growth. Trees are generally between 4 and 8.5 feet tall, and the trees are sorted into two height ranges.

Donation amounts are specific to each height range.

Sheared trees are typically grown in a more evenly spaced tree farm style and are regularly groomed as they grow to their final height. Sheared trees tend to be fuller (more dense growth) and have a more conical, traditional Christmas tree shape. Trees are from 5 to 10 feet tall, and trees are sorted by height range.

Donation amounts are specific to each height range.

The proceeds are used to support youth development, leadership training, scouting activities and community engagement.

Only about 20 percent of the funds raised go to static costs such as equipment and administrative costs.

Eighty percent of the funds raised go to underwrite the cost for scouts and volunteers to attend very active camping and high adventure programs. It is the Troop's goal to be sure all troop members can enjoy and benefit from the program without it becoming a financial burden for
the families.

Having a successful Tree Lot Fundraiser is critical to continuing to achieve this goal.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)