It's the Last Weekend to Buy Trees!

If you celebrate Christmas, a tree is pretty much the centerpiece of the decor.

If you've procrastinated on buying a fresh tree, take heart, a fresh tree is less fire prone (though all trees need to be watered frequently). This weekend is pretty much the last chance to buy one from many of the non-profit lots. 

Some of them will close up by Dec. 20 or so; and while you can always buy ones last minute from many commercial lots, dollars spent here will benefit many projects of community organizations.

Here's a few place to buy trees, as we dash through the last weekend for Christmas holiday decorating.

Los Altos:

25th Annual Los Altos Kiwanis Tree Lot,  parking lot, Foothill Expressway and Arboretum Ave., Los Altos. Selling Noble Firs, wreaths, garlands and centerpieces. Mon-Fri, 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. As Los Altos Kiwanis says: "It makes a difference where you buy your tree!" 

Mountain View:

Fresh cut trees: Help support local high school sports when you buy your tree at the  Tree Lot. The Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District, promises a better selection. They are now open at their new location at 1035 El Monte Rd., on the corner of El Camino Real in the  and CVS parking lot. The lot has just received a second shipment of freshly cut trees from Oregon going on sale this weekend. It has premium-grade noble firs, 3 to 11 feet in size, free bagging and a guarantee for the entire season. Also your purchase is tax deductible. You can also direct up to 20 percent of your purchase to any school or organization. Their hours will be 4-7 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends until Dec. 20. You can even order online at mvlatrees.com.

Palo Alto:

Sea Scouts Christmas Tree Lot, at the Little League field at 3672 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, offers fresh-cut Christmas trees. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. 650-493-6614. The lot is its biggest venue to raise money to subsidize fuel and maintenance costs that keeps their program affordable.

Paly Sports Boosters Tree Lot, at the northwest corner of , 50 Embarcadero Rd., opens 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park: Lot adjacent to Stanford Stadium on El Camino Real. Weekdays, 2 to 8 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Benefits Ravenswood School District, scholarships for Menlo-Atherton High School students, Project Read/Menlo Park and more.