Oh, Christmas tree!

--Jack Schneider

Each year, thousands of families search the Surf City area looking for

the perfect Christmas tree. And Dan Hay, whose Christmas tree lot is

known for carrying an abundance of fresh junipers, can help one find just

that.

For 16 years, Hay has been selling all types of trees around the

Huntington Beach area, but this year, he has established a new selling

place.”The new lot will offer better service and a more variety of

trees,” Hay said.

The 42-year-old resident first started selling Christmas trees with

the Knights of Columbus in Westminster. In 1987, he started his own

Christmas tree lot on Beach Boulevard. Since then, he has relocated to

Garfield Avenue and Main Street, where he stayed for six years, and now

to Warner Avenue and Bolsa Chica Street.

With 2 1/2 acres available for selling trees, Hay is ranked as one of

the top Christmas tree sellers in Orange County. In addition, he has

hired 35 employees, including high school athletes from Marina, Edison

and Huntington Beach high schools.

The trees are set up under a big canopy while holiday music plays

throughout the lot. It features a variety of trees, including noble,

grand and Douglas firs from the Oregon area. The lot also sells wreaths

and miniature and flocked Christmas trees.

Outside the lot, he is heavily involved with the community as a member

of the Huntington Beach Exchange Club, Little League softball, vice

president of the Huntington Beach High School Foundation “Take the

Plunge” program, which helped raised funds for the high school gymnasium.

During this year, Hay was thinking of retiring from the Christmas tree

business, but decided to continue his tradition of selling trees.

“I get the fever every year, and I enjoy working in the business,” he

said.