Gary Fruhling has been busier than one of Santa’s elves.

On Sunday, a local tree company contacted the owner of Bothell’s Fruhling Sand and Topsoil and said it had over-bought this Christmas season.

About 300 new trees were set to be recycled at Fruhling’s business on 228th Street Southwest, but the owner devised a grand plan:

Give them away.

“I can’t see all these trees go to waste,” he said this morning. “I know that a lot of families out there need trees. Times are tough these days.”

Fruhling put an ad on Craigslist about the trees, and “got calls right away and people started coming in. It’s been great — trees have been flying out of here.”

He’s also been delivering trees to individuals, and some have been going to families who benefit from various charities and the Forgotten Children’s Fund.

Yesterday, KOMO Radio AM 1000 interviewed Fruhling throughout the day about his giving spirit.

“I want to make sure that everyone has a great Christmas,” he said.

On Jan. 2, Fruhling will welcome a host of trucks carrying used Christmas trees to be recycled that have been handed off to the local Boy Scouts. Families set their trees out for the scouts and donate some cash to the group.

“It’s my favorite day of the year,” Fruhling said.

The last few days have been pretty festive, as well.