By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

The log’s burning and the TV’s ready for football. Meanwhile, Los Altos Kiwanis Club members volunteer to work for their Christmas tree lot, as they have for the past 14 holiday seasons.

The club’s retail lot is now located in the Albertson’s parking lot at 2175 Grant Road. This year’s theme is, “Buy your Kiwanis tree when you shop at Albertson’s.”

“We will receive three different shipments of grand fir and noble fir trees coming from Corvallis, Ore.,” said former Los Altos Police Chief Lucy Carlton, still a member of the local Kiwanis Club and the volunteer in charge. “As soon as they arrive, we put them in water and water them every night until they’re sold.” The trees range from 3 feet to 12 feet.

Kiwanis President Carol Hanzlik said only quality trees that stay fresh are on the lot and they are the same price as last year. “When we sell the tree, we shake off all the loose needles and mud by machine and then poly wrap it so it’s easier to take home,” she said.

Noble fir and grand fir are the only two Christmas tree varieties carried this year.

A noble fir tree is an evergreen in the pine family with gray green needles that often appear silver. The needles are generally twisted upward so the lower surface of the branch is exposed. Needles grow to about 112 inches.

Noble fir is desirable for its spacing between branches for easier ornament hanging and for its longevity after being cut.

You can expect your noble fir to stay fresh with proper watering for up to six weeks, members said.

Grand fir trees are often chosen because of their beauty and scent. They attain their shape early and make wonderful table top trees. The needles are blunt and notched on the end with two white bands on the lower surface.

The branches appear flattened because of their arrangement on the twigs. Grand fir are cultured annually and will last three-to-four weeks with proper care after being harvested.

The Christmas tree lot is a collaborative effort of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club, the De Anza Kiwanis Club of Cupertino, the Circle K at Los Altos High School and the Key Club at Foothill College.

Buying a tree from the Kiwanis tree lot will help support the annual Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade, the Community Health Awareness Council, the Kiwanis Special Games and Truck of Love.

The Kiwanis Christmas tree lot is open noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 941-3123.