US Silver Tree Co
1015 Capouse Ave.
Scranton 9, PA
The United States Silver Tree Company was founded in 1960 in Scranton, PA, in the former Spaulding Bakery building at North Washington Avenue and Ash Street. President Emil Laster was previously the owner of Keystone Chemical & Supply Co, also of Scranton. It was reported that USSTCo had orders for more than 500,000 trees before the company opened the factory. Incidentally, The Laster family is one of several Jewish families who were in the Aluminum Christmas Tree business.
USSTCo’s product line included trees ranging from 2.5’ to 7.5’ in silver, gold, green, silver-red and a stunning silver-blue, which was perhaps a nod to the Laster Jewish heritage.
BRANCHES
The signature of US Silver Tree Co is an oversized pom at the end of a delicately fashioned branch. The needles are long and narrow, giving the tree an airy, diaphanous look. USSTCo did make a straight-needle model, though they seem to turn up less often.
POLES
Painted silver. Colored trees were issued with silver poles, as in the case of the pink and green. For the gold trees, the poles were painted to match. So far we find this to be consistent. As always, we entertain the possibility for there to be an exception to this rule.
BOXES
Often somewhat flimsy but usable. Being a horizontal box, they tend to end up wider at the top than the bottom, leaving a gap between the flaps. A large garbage bag or stretch film is advisable for keeping the box closed. Touted on the box is “The Famous King Branch!” It sounds so important, but what was it, really? Scroll down for more on The Famous King Branch.
SLEEVES
The sleeves of USSTCo trees are unique in that the bottom opening is rounded and serrated, sometimes featuring a little hole on the longer side of the asymmetrical end. No idea what the hole is for. The paper is usually very dry, brittle, and prone to splitting and tearing. To keep using the original sleeves, adhesive tape is really the only option. Clear is best. ‘Invisible tape’ is cloudy and never advised for tree repair. Another option is to employ replacement sleeves, either aftermarket or DIY.
THE KING BRANCH
The USSTCo instruction sheet emphatically advises the tree owner: “THE KING BRANCH SHOULD BE INSERTED ON TOP FIRST AND IS IDENTIFIED.” Yes, there is a sleeve labeled “King Branch.” Indeed, there should be one branch with each tree that is just an inch or two longer than the rest. Realistically, over the decades, the King Branch gets lost amongst the rest. You purists will find it.
Presenting the Gallery of United States Silver Tree Co!
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SPACER
Little else is known about the Laster family and USSTCo.
Attempts were made to contact extended family, but so far,
we have not been able to interview a descendant.
If you can help, please contact The Aluminum Forest!