One of the delights of the holiday season in Wedgwood in northeast Seattle is the Hunter Tree Farm’s Christmas tree sales lot.  The tree lot is bright with lights and fragrant with evergreen smells while customers ponder their tree choices.  The tree lot is conveniently located at 7744 35th Ave NE next to the Wedgwood Post Office and is open daily from 9:30 AM to 8 PM through December 23, 2023.

The Hunter family began growing Christmas trees in 1948, starting out as wholesalers only.  In the 1950s the Hunters began selling cut trees as direct retail in Seattle’s Northgate area.  After that sales site closed, the Hunters learned of an available location in the new neighborhood of Wedgwood.

Hunter Tree Farm site in Wedgwood at 7744 35th Ave NE. Photo by Valarie.

In the 1940s and 1950s developer Albert Balch was building small starter homes accessible to young couples, especially war veterans.  “Wedgwood” started out as just a plat name for the houses he was building but eventually “Wedgwood” caught on as the name for the neighborhood.

In the 1950s the Hunters got permission to hold the Christmas tree sales in a vacant lot owned by Albert Balch at NE 85th Street and 35th Ave NE, which was beginning to be the Wedgwood business district.  This growing neighborhood was acquiring a Wedgwood identity.  The young families of Wedgwood were eager to establish their holiday tradition of choosing a Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree sales in Wedgwood were so successful that the Hunters obtained a permanent business space at 7744 35th Ave NE, where the annual event continues today.  Hunter Tree Farm is open daily from 9:30 AM to 8 PM through December 23, 2023.