Boy Scout tree sale celebrates more than 50 years in community

A 16-year-old boy sped down U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills, burning rubber in his 1979 Trans Am.  

The car caught the attention of Boy Scout Tree Sale Chairman Bo Young, who contacted police and had Patrick Vacarella apologize. Vacarella was then given the option of receiving a ticket or coming to work for the duration of the sale that year.

Two years later, in 1989, Vacarella had worked his way up to become the lot manager. Today, he is still in the position. He has never missed a season and has no plans to quit anytime soon. He works tirelessly from open to close for the five-week duration of the sale. Committee members refer to him as the heart and soul of the operation. 

“If you don’t see me around the lot, just assume I’m no longer here,” Vacarella said.

A familiar scene come Thanksgiving, the Over the Mountain Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale has been a tradition in Vestavia Hills for more than 50 years. The sale funds activities for 10 Boy Scout troops in the Over the Mountain area. 

“There’s so much that goes into it. There’s a lot of us working in the background all year long,” said Vacarella, who was once a Scout himself. “My biggest enjoyment from the sale is knowing everything that it provides the Scouts.”

The history of the sale dates back to the 1950s, when Vestavia Hills was still a young community. Jimmy Coleman, the founding scoutmaster of Troop 4, began the sale in 1959 in his backyard. In 1960, Coleman moved the sale to the undeveloped parking lot at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church after the sale outgrew his home.

Later, the sale moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe King, which is now the site of the Rite-Aid on U.S. 31. In the late 1960s, developer Charles Byrd wanted to improve the medians on U.S. 31, so the sale had to move down the hill. The moves continued until the current Scout Square location was acquired.

Today, the sale has evolved into a successful business venture with an executive committee planning it throughout the year. 

Chairman John Patterson and treasurer Mark McColl agree that without this sale, the Scouts wouldn’t be able to participate in their yearly trips or activities. Furthermore, they said the sale equips the young men with skills that will help them throughout their lives.

“These Boy Scouts do so much. The sale really helps them build character and self-reliance,” McColl said. “It teaches them salesmanship, to work hard and to have a good work ethic.”

Patterson and McColl said the troops normally sell anywhere between 3,500 and 4,000 trees a year. The trees come from four different suppliers on seven trucks, with about 500 trees per truck. Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, volunteers unload the first truck and spend the day drilling the trees and placing them on stands.

Once the sale starts, the troops, their families and other volunteers rotate morning, afternoon and evening shifts. 

“The Scouts’ families make huge contributions,” Patterson said. “Each troop puts a lot of man-hours into the sale.”

To create a festive atmosphere, the Scouts play Christmas music and hand out hot chocolate and candy canes. Within the past three years, they have started offering handmade wreaths and garlands. 

“This gives some of our volunteers a creative outlet and something to do when there is a lull,” said Patterson.

Both men say the best part of the sale by far is seeing generations of customers come through the lot as well as Scouts who worked at the sale as children.

“It’s so neat to see these families coming back year after year,” McColl said.

The sale also has an environmental component. Patterson said the tree sale is the largest recycler for Alabama Power, due to their donations of extra trees at the end of each cycle. They also offer trees to city employees for half-price.

Committee members look forward to another successful season. 

“This is truly a communitywide event, and we couldn’t do this without their support,” said McColl. “We also want to thank the community members who came before us and made the sale what it is today.”

This year’s tree sale is from Nov. 22-Dec. 21. 

The lot is open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m-9 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30-9 p.m. and is located at 737 Montgomery Highway. The Scouts also have a tree lot in the parking lot of Target on Highway 150.