US Silver Tree Co

UNITED STATES 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 3 Jewish families in our category of First Families of Aluminum Christmas Trees.

USSTCo’s product line included trees ranging from 2.5’ to 7.5’ in silver, gold, green and a stunning silver-blue, which was perhaps a nod to the Laster Jewish heritage.

Hallmarks of USSTCo

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 rarely turn up.

POLES

All extant USSTCo poles are painted silver, no matter the color of the branches.

BOXES

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. See HACKS section for details! Also touted on the box is “The Famous King Branch!” It sounds so important, but what was it, really? Scroll down to INSTRUCTION SHEETS 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.

INSTRUCTION SHEETS

The USSTCo instruction sheet emphatically advises the tree owner: “THE KING BRANCH SHOULD BE INSERTED ON TOP FIRST AND IS IDENTIFIED.” However, The Aluminum Forest has yet to solve the mystery of The King Branch. Yes, there is a sleeve labeled “King Branch.”

With 4 USSTCo trees for comparison, The Aluminum Forest has yet to find a branch that can be distinguished from the rest! All branches are identical in length.

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!

Enjoy the USSTCo Ads!