The most important fundraiser for North Seattle’s Boy Scout Troop 100 has been happening for the last few weeks at St. Alphonsus Church in Ballard.

The tree sale is the one and only annual fundraiser for the troop and has been a tradition for over 60 years in the Ballard community, and that fundraiser will come to a close Dec. 20.

Bill Dunnell, tree sale organizer, said that they sell about 2,000 trees every year and that varieties including Norway Spruce, Charlie Brown, Noble, Fraser and Grand Firs. Most trees sold during the holidays are cut and shipped in October, but not the troop’s, their trees are freshly cut and replenished every few days and are guaranteed freshness. Dunnel said the trees could last as long as February.

This year the trees come from Ed Hedlin and John Tillman’s farms in Satsop, Wash. Both Hedlin and Tilman have grown trees that were placed in the White House during past holiday seasons.

For Ballardites still searching for a tree, they had better hurry.

“We are probably going to run out of trees before the last day. We only have a certain number of trees, and then we are all done for the season,” said Dunnel.

The money Troop 100 raises goes toward big summer trips like canoeing, white water rafting and camping in remote areas. Last year the scouts went on a bike trip in northern Idaho and an international scout camp in Switzerland. This year they plan on going to Three Fingers Look Out in the north central Cascades September.

In addition, funds from the sale support scout programs like habitat restoration and awards ceremonies, as well as provide financial support for local churches and programs like the Ballard Food Bank.

Beyond trees, the troop also makes garland wreaths for holiday.

“The kids have been doing a really good job. We have a lot of new kids this year, so they are really learning a lot,” said Dunnell. “They learn salesmanship like how to say ’please’ and ‘thank you’ -- tree species and how to tie knots.”

Dunnell explained that the number of troops has been consistently growing every year. This year there are about 50 scouts in Troop 100. Dunnell said that Cub Scout den sizes have doubled in the last few years, and there are more and more cubs joining boy scouts every year.

“The kids do a lot of service work and help the community in so many ways. It teaches them what it means to be a part of the community.”

Truman Wisen, age 12, has been Troop 100 for two years. In between stacking trees, he said that he enjoys the sale, especially knowing that it supports the troop’s activities throughout the year.

“It really is great to help out. …We get to hang out with a lot of great guys and have really fun experiences in the scouts,” said Wisen.

Wisen said his favorite part of the scouts is going on camping trips and learning survival skills.

Will Lachance, also age 12, was in the scouts on the east coast and recently joined troop 100 a year ago.

Lachance also likes the camping trips and said this season’s tree sale has been a learning experience.

“Selling trees is fun, and we learn salesmanship. It’s really a good thing to help out because it’s our only fundraiser for the year,” said Lachance.