What to Look for in a Christmas Tree
Choosing a Christmas tree has always been a special family time. Whether you choose yours from the woods, from a you-cut farm, or from a grocery store, there are some principles to remember to get the most from the tree you pick. Different varieties of trees offer different benefits in terms of shape, density, needle softness and retention, and how long the tree will stay fresh and green.
Always remember to take a tape measure along when you shop for a Christmas tree. They always look bigger when you get them into the house, so measure the space you have and then measure the tree you want to get. Keep in mind that the stand will add about 6 inches to the overall height. You may have to plan for a place to attach a wire from the tree to the wall for extra stability.
Fresh trees, as opposed to artificial ones, come in three basic styles. The simplest are the pre-cut trees, which are widely available at discount and grocery stores. The downside of this choice is first of all that you don’t have very many types of trees to choose from. Also, they may be fairly dried out by the time they reach the store. Look for a well shaped, fresh looking tree. Keep it in water in a cool area, like the garage, until you are ready to use it.
Another alternative is to choose your own tree and cut it down yourself. This can be at a you-cut Christmas tree farm or on your own or a friend’s property. The latter choice is the cheapest, but again, you may not have much to choose from. For instance, in many rural areas, people cut eastern red cedar trees for Christmas trees. They are pretty in a home-spun sort of way, but the needles are painfully prickly and fall off quicker than you want them too. They are very hard to get out of the carpet!
A cut-it-yourself Christmas tree farm can be a great option. Some include sleigh rides and hot cocoa as part of the price. You should be able to choose from the soft-needled firs, the fragrant pines, and the soft-colored spruces. Look for a tree you like that looks healthy. And don’t forget to measure! Get it into water as soon as you get it home. Use warm water only. Don’t use the home-spun concoctions many people recommend, such as aspirin, sugar, etc., because these can actually shorten the life of your tree.
If you have a large yard, you might want to consider the third type of tree, which is a burlap-balled live tree that can be planted after the Christmas holiday season. You may have to mail-order this type of tree in order to get the variety you want. Make sure you choose a tree that will grow in the zone you live in. Find out about any special care it will need, and consider well whether you have room for it. Some Christmas trees can grow to be several hundred feet tall in the right environment!
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