FAQ

Delivery

Deliveries start the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs until around Dec 20 excluding the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving day.

We deliver to our core Chicago zone 7 days a week and select suburbs on select days of the week.

Removals start Dec 27, exclude New Years Eve/Day and end Jan 10.

We offer 3 delivery shifts on weekdays and weekends.

Weekdays Shifts: 1st Shift- 9am-5pm, 2nd Shift - 5pm-9:30pm, or Flexible Shift - 9am-9:30pm

Weekend Shifts: 1st Shift - 8am to 2pm, 2nd Shift - 2pm-8pm, Flexible Shift - 8a-8pm

Delivery is subject to weather and will be rescheduled when safety is not at risk. Due to unforeseen COVID-19 events or weather, delivery disruptions may occur and every effort will be made to reschedule delivery/removal as soon as reasonable possible. Refer to our COVID-19 page for additional information.

We offer the choice of 3 delivery windows at the time of purchase and then narrow the selected time window down to a 3 hour time slot 1 day prior to delivery.

Please reply to the confirmation upon receipt to confirm your delivery. Notify us in advance if you can't receive text messages.

On delivery day, the deliver crew will call or text from a different phone number when enroute with a 15-30 minute lead time. Please monitor your phone for any unknown numbers during this timeframe and reply.

If drivers are running outside the 3 hour time slot, someone should notify you as soon as it becomes known so you can better plan your schedule.

We do our best to accomodate customers, but can not honor specific time requests due to the nature of how trucks are routed by neighbhood (i.e. first delivery slot, 12pm delivery needed, etc.). Start / end times also vary day to day based on volume.

Standard delivery includes performing a fresh cut on the tree and then delivering the tree inside your home and placing it on the ground.

If you purchase optional setup, the crew will place the tree in the stand (not provided), remove the netting, perform a basic broom sweep, and water the tree.

If any parts of our service or products do not meet expectations, let our crew know immediately. We will work with you to address concerns. Our delivery crew typically can address most situations on the spot (swap tree, extra products in truck, clean up, etc.). You can also escalate any issue by emailing customerservice@CityTreeDelivery.comor calling 312-GRN-XMAS.

Please review your order prior to delivery. Tree orders do not include a stand or removal.

For the safety of our customers and delivery staff, we ask that you clear a clean
wide path between your door and the location you want your tree dropped off.

Please shovel your doorstep, clear, and eliminate any slippery spots (ice,
snow, water, etc). Also, please restrain any pets.

If you live in a high rise, please contact your building to understand any requirements and provide the delivery crew with specifics such as where to park, details around the freight elevator, time restrictions, etc. This information greatly helps the crew and assists with timely delivery for all.

Stands must be rented, purchased, or provided. Not all stands are equal and we strongly recommend our Cinco Express stands for the stability and health of your tree.

We highly recommend purchasing tree removal/recycling in advance. Availability is limited and the price increases after Christmas. Trees removed in the suburbs will be left on the curb for pickup / recycling by the local municipality.

Reply to your order confirmation or email CustomerService@CityTreeDelivery.com to make any changes to your delivery date, add any products, or change delivery details (phone #, address, order notes, etc.)

We will work with you to find a convenient time with availability.

Our crew delivers rain or shine. In severe weather conditions, please be flexible on delivery times.

Taking safety in account, our delivery team will make all reasonable attempts to complete your delivery on time.

In extreme conditions or if COVID creates an issue with staffing, our crew will work with you to arrange an alternative date that works with you, which is likely the next day. If another date does not work, we will refund your order.

Our delivery crew will call/text on the day of your delivery to confirm that you are home. Please monitor your phone during your delivery window, the text/call will be from a different number.

In the event you are not home, please list a detailed safe location on where our crew should leave the tree. This could include a porch, in the front yard, at a neighbor’s house, etc. When authorized in advance, a doorman may grant entry in the unit.

If no options are listed, our delivery crew will leave the tree in a safe location if tree setup was not purchased.  If tree setup was purchased, they will be required to come back another day to deliver / setup the tree or refund the order minus a $25 no-show fee. If we are unable to leave your order or must make multiple delivery attempts, you may be charged a $25 re-delivery fee.

Our staff are paid a living wage. The price of the tree includes all necessary fees, however tipping is always appreciated.

If you do not have cash and would like to leave a tip, call us and we can process your tip over the  phone and pay the employee.

Optional Gratuities can now be added at the time of purchase. If you want to change or refund the amount of gratuity after delivery, please email customerservice@CityTreeDelivery.com.

If you do not order the advanced set up at the time of the order, our team may be able to offer this service at the time of delivery. Special requests will be handled in person.

REMOVAL IS NOT INCLUDED in the tree purchase. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING REMOVAL AT THE TIME OF TREE PURCHASE.

Removal orders placed after Christmas are pending capacity and the price of removal will increase to $49.90 curbside and $99.90

The tree(s) should be undecorated for all removal services below (remove all ornaments/lights prior to our arrival).

Curbside Removal - $29.95/tree: We pick up tree from outside & we take it to recycle)

In Home Removal- $49.95/tree: We remove the undecorated tree from the stand, provide a basic clean up, and get the tree ready to recycle. In Chicago we take the tree to the recycling facility. In the suburbs, we leave the tree on the curb to be recycled by the local municipality.

Products

We only offer USDA Premium trees, not the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We would not deliver a tree that we would not put in our own house.

Very rarely is anything in life 100% perfect. After all, your tree isn't artificially designed and imported. Mother Nature grew it just for you. We will provide you with a freshly cut quality tree without any major blemishes. In the event you are not happy with your tree, we will work with you to resolve any concerns.

Tree widths may vary year to year due to growing conditions.

We only sell USDA Premium/#1 Christmas trees or better. We've been buying from our vendors for years and are always looking for the best locally sourced trees.

The United States Department of Agriculture created the "United States Standard for Grades of Christmas Trees" effective October 30, 1989. The standards set the criteria for a grading scale the includes USDA Premium(Snowfresh), USDA #1 (Choice), USDA #2 (Standard), and Cull trees.

For more information, please see the publications here. There is some discretion involved in applying the ratings, however we feel you will be happy with your tree and it will be of a higher quality than those offered by most/all big box retailers and nurseries.

USDA Grading Tiers

U.S. Premium/(Snowfresh) – Fresh, clean, healthy, heavy density, one minor defect allowed per face

U.S. #1/(Choice) – Fresh, fairly clean, healthy, medium density, two minor defects allowed for 3 faces, one minor defect per remaining face

Definitions

Fresh - Fresh means the needles are green, pliable, and firmly attached; with not more than slight shedding.

Clean - Clean means the tree is reasonably free from foreign material.

Healthy - Healthy means the needles have a fresh, natural appearance characteristic of the species.

Well shaped - Well shaped means that the tree is not flat on one side and the branches of the tree, whether sheared or unsheared, are of sufficient number and length to form a conical outline tapering from the lowest whorl of branches to the top.

Butt trimmed - Butt trimmed means that all barren branches shall have been removed, and the trunk has been smoothly cut at approximately right angles to the trunk.

Density - Density means the amount of foliage on the tree. Factors contributing to degree of density are: The number and size of branches within the whorl, distance between the whorls, number and arrangements of the branchlets on each branch, the extent of internodal branching, needle arrangement, and needle length. Species differ in their habit of growth and some species do not have internodal branches. Density is judged on the basis of species characteristics.

Grading details

U.S. Premium consists of trees which meet the following requirements:

(a) Characteristics typical of the species;
(b) Butt trimmed; except for trees graded "on the stump'';
(c) Normal taper;
(d) Fresh;
(e) Clean;
(f) Healthy;
(g) Well shaped;
(h) Not less than heavy density;
(i) Handle length, unless otherwise specified, shall be not less than 6 inches, or more than 1-1/2 inches for each foot of tree height. For trees graded "on the stump'', handle length will not be a requirement of the grade;
(j) Three faces with not more than 1 minor defect. Remaining face may not have more than 1 minor defect

Source: https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/christmas-trees-grades-and-standards 

City Tree is locally owned and employs people from our community at a livable wage.  Most of our employees return year after year and deliver the premium service you have come to expect. We thoughtfully select our products based on quality, orgin to ensure they work well, minimize their carbon footprint, and will last for years to come.

Our staff is made up of Firefighters, kids that grew in the neighborhood, college students, freelancers, musicians, to name a few. We provide them with a fun working environment with good pay so they can have flexibility in their lives and extra cash around the holidays. We accept credit card, contribute to the local sales tax, stand behind our product and services, and act as a responsible neighbor. 

We aim for zero waste and manage our inventory so we don't dispose large quantities of unused trees. 

Our tree delivery service provide the ultimate full service convenience. At a minimum we deliver a fresh tree inside your home by an insured delivery professional. We pioneered this service nationally in 2009. Add on's include premium setup and removal as well as accessory for purchase or rent.

Many competitors have tried copying this for a few dollars less. This likely comes at the cost of quality, service, unknown sustainability practices. Most places order a mix of tree varieties / quality from distant regions in the country and offer cheaper accessories with higher margins. They purchase inventory for profit without the thought of waste.  Once I asked another tree lot about unsold trees, they responded, "we put them in a dumpster when we get back to Iowa." Although many tree lots have friendly industry workers who work hard to earn a living, they come from unknown backgrounds / locations and are not active members of the local community.

Amazon made headlines when they announced the company will be selling trees up to 7ft.  Tree farms have offered online UPS/Fed Delivery prior to 2008 when we started our plan. These trees appear to be a few dollars less, however the tree shows up in a box shipped to your door. You are responsible for unloading, setting up, and disposing of your tree. Returns/replacements are unknown with competitors.

We always try to purchase our products from local vendors. We believe in supporting local businesses and want to minimize our carbon footprint.

Our trees come from Michigan or Wisconsin. Cutting starts in November and varies based on shipping times. We typically get multiple shipments during the season.

Whenever possible, we try to sell items made in the United States.

Miscellaneous

Our business is built on the model of doing the right thing. 

Whenever available, we purchase local premium quality goods to minimize our carbon footprint and ensure product use for many years to come. We are also involved with local schools, parks, charities, and churches. 

Historical and/or ongoing partners include: Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Wicker Park Garden Club, District 205 Elmhurst Foundation, 1% for the Planet, Burley Elementary, Waters Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, Madison PTA, Lincoln Elementary, Edison Elementary, Kellogg/Northwestern, St Lukes Academy, Margaret Donahue Park, Wrightwood Neighborhood Association, North Center Chamber of Commerce, North Center Neighborhood Association, Dan-Haus German Cultural Center, Trees for the Future, Climate Cycle, Terrapass, Second City Canine Rescue, along with various other local and national partners.

General sales of 10.25% will be charged on all products based on our Chicago physical location/warehouse. Tax is not charged on services or rental.

We will provide you with a freshly cut quality tree without any major blemishes.

In the event you are not happy with your tree or service, we will work with you to resolve any concerns. This may include a product replacement, future credit, discount, or refund.

Any concerns should be promptly communicated via email or phone.

In 13 years of business, our exchange rate is less than 3% and have resolved all known communicated issues/items.