Here’s what happens to some of the trees not sold by Christmas

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s the day after Christmas. So what happens now to the Christmas trees still sitting in lots? 

Jensen’s Family Christmas Trees in Payson, which has been around since the 1960s, is selling their extras.

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Chris Jensen is one of the owners. He’s already started taking down the lot where they sell the trees. But there are a few that are left, which he said they’ll sell at a discount. 

Work that keeps the Jensen family hopping

Owners Chris and Norene Jensen begin cutting down trees in the Utah mountains during the first or second week of November. That’s so they’re ready to sell by Thanksgiving.

“It’s quite the job up there when you’re fighting snow and … steep mountains. But we enjoy doing it,” Jensen said.

By the time the season’s over, they’ve generally cut down 200-250 trees.

“I think I just really enjoy being with my family, doing it. You know, it’s to keep the tradition going,” Chris Jensen said when asked what his favorite part of the process is.

“It really brings us closer together. And it makes a lot of families happy … when they can come and get them a nice tree.”

Other uses for Christmas trees

Jensen said there are several uses for the remaining trees.

“A guy used some to set up an archery range. He puts some trees up … and then put up targets, so it looks like you were shooting into the forest,” he said.

“One guy uses some to let pheasants roost in them. Or sometimes people get them for weddings and stuff like that.”

And then there’s the use that most people probably assume is the only use for Christmas trees left on the lot.

“Or we just take them to the to the grinding place … where they grind them up for mulch.”

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