Picking the Perfect Christmas Tree

When I was a little girl we always had a real Christmas tree. We would always take a trip to the Christmas tree farm. Once we arrived, my sisters and I would dash through the snow looking at all the trees. Usually it was my dad that would find the best tree, and then he would get the saw and cut it down. After we cut the tree we always headed back to the owners house for hot chocolate and sleigh rides. We did this every year. It was our Christmas tradition.

If you decide to go to a Christmas tree farm you will get the freshest tree. Unlike people that sell Christmas trees, at the Christmas tree farm it is always fresh because you cut it. Before you just cut down any tree move the branches away from the bottom of the tree and make sure the trunk is straight. If you get a tree with a crooked trunk you will never get it straight in the base.

From spruce to fir there are many different kinds of Christmas trees that you can choose. No single kind of tree is better that the other. Just focus on the look that you want. For example, a Frasier Fir has soft needles and stiff branches. The needles don’t fall off and practically last forever. The stiff branches will support heavier ornaments.

Sizing

When you visit the Christmas tree farm bring a tape measure, a saw, and a step ladder. If you don’t have these things the farm may be able to supply you. Find out before you go. Also bring a sled for the tree. Fresh Christmas trees tend to have a lot of snow and ice on them which makes them extremely heavy to carry.

Before you visit the Christmas tree farm make sure you measure the size of the room where the Christmas tree will be located. Also measure the height and width of all doorways that the tree has to go through. Typically if you tie up your tree you can shrink the width about 1.5-2 feet. Just make sure you don’t tie the ropes too tight, otherwise you will break the branches.

Measure the height and the width of the tree before you cut it. You don’t want a tree that is too big because you will never get it in the door. Most of the time the trees look perfect in the field because they are relatively small compared to everything else. But, when you get your tree home you may find it is too big if you didn’t measure.

Tree Care

If you are going to put your tree up the same day that you cut it, place it immediately in water in the stand. If you are going to keep it for a couple of days before you put it indoors it is best to keep it in the snow, rain, and cold until you are ready to use it. Make sure that you keep it in water that is not freezing. Keeping it in the natural conditions will improve the length of time your tree will last.

When you are ready to use the tree make a �½ inch fresh cut across the bottom of the trunk. Put the Christmas tree into water and place it in the stand. It is best just to use plain tepid water. Using growth mixes will not lengthen the life of your Christmas tree. Make sure your Christmas tree stays wet at all times. If it dries out even once, it will die. Dry the tree off before you bring it inside your home. Try letting it warm up in the garage for about an hour, or until all the ice and snow has melted.

Types of Christmas Trees

Frasier Fir-Soft needles, stiff branches that don’t flop and hold the weight of heavier branches. The needles last forever so you won’t find yourself vacuuming every day.

Scotch Pine– This is a full tree with needles that hold on forever. Scotch Pines are known for having curvy or bent trunk. Scotch Pines are the most often the traditional Christmas tree choice.

Austrian Pine– This Christmas tree has long needles which makes it difficult to decorate. Austrian Pine stays green for a very long time. Because of the stiff branches it is also great wreath making material.

Blue Spruce– Needles are very sharp. Can make decorating difficult but it is kid proof and pet proof because of its sharp needles. This tree also has stiff branches that are capable of holding heavier ornaments. This tree is blue in color and very aromatic.

Condoler Fir– This tree has long, soft needles. Since it sometimes grows with spaces it can be harder to prune than some other trees, but it is still none the less one of the most popular Christmas trees. Like the blue spruce it also has a blue hue and is very fragrant.

Grand Fir– This is probably the most fragrant of all the Christmas trees. When you bring it indoors, it kind of smells like lemons and oranges. This tree is native to the West coast but is becoming more popular on the East coast every year. Sometimes Grand Firs can dry out early but they always maintain their needles.

Cork Bark Fir, Turkish Fir, and Miers Spruce are also becoming more popular.

Live Christmas Trees

If you are the kind of person that doesn’t believe in cutting down a Christmas tree, then you can have a live Christmas tree. Since live Christmas trees are heavier than cut trees it is best to keep the height of the tree under five feet. Live Christmas trees only do well indoors for about 5 days. After 5 days you should place the tree back outdoors. As with cut trees make sure you keep the soil moist and don’t let the tree get dried out.