 | Christmas trees have been a symbol of the holiday season for many, many years. Christmas tree farms are abundant in North America and around the world, and over 35 million of them are sold in the United States alone. If you're considering the purchase of a real Christmas tree this year, here are some tips to select the best tree possible and care for it so your tree will stay beautiful throughout the festive season.
Buying From a Lot Versus Cutting Your Own
While you can order a Christmas tree online or through a catalog in several states, the most popular methods of purchasing a real Christmas tree are from a tree lot, or by going to a tree farm and cutting down your own.
Christmas tree lots are temporary sales locations, usually found in large parking lots like those at shopping malls, near gas stations, and any other outdoor area where there is an abundance of consumer traffic. Here, you can choose from a selection of pre-cut trees in various sizes and species. Tree lots are generally more expensive than tree farms because you're paying for the convenience of having the tree cut and bundled and ready to take home. There's no denying though that these lots are handy for busy families.
Tree farms offer an alternative to pre-cut trees. Going to select and cut down your own holiday tree can be a fun experience, especially for families with young children. Oftentimes there are sleigh rides and animals about to interest the kids, and there are always rows upon rows of trees to choose from. Once you select your tree, you can either cut it down yourself with a saw provided by the farm, or ask the farmer to cut it down for you. Your tree will be bundled and taken to your car, ready to take home and decorate.
Christmas Tree Species
The most common types of evergreen trees sold as Christmas trees are Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, and Norway Spruce. While they differ in appearance, length of needles, and amount of fragrance, it generally comes down to an aesthetic preference as to which type of tree is purchased.
The Norway Spruce will last the longest without water – almost four times as long as any of the other varieties. It also holds onto its needles longer, so if you're planning to have your tree up for more than a couple of weeks, this is the way to go. The White Pine and Scotch Pine are the most resistant to catching fire, but with modern lights being as safe as they are, this isn't a major concern. As long as your tree is well watered and not dried out, the chance of a fire is very rare.
Size and Shape
Christmas trees vary dramatically in size and shape. They are wide, tall, short, narrow, and everything in between. To be absolutely sure that the tree you select will fit well in your home, take maximum measurements of the exact space you'd like to place the tree in. Most homes will accommodate a tree up to 7' high. Make sure that the stem is long enough to trim about an inch or two away before placement in your home. Record the size of your tree stand as well, and measure the bottom of the trunk of the tree you select to make certain it will fit.
If you're interested in buying a very tall tree, you can expect to pay a bit more. Most lots and tree farms charge by height, because the taller trees take longer to grow and need more care to keep them healthy.
Checking for Freshness
Always check your tree for freshness, especially if purchasing from a tree lot. You never know how long that tree has been sitting there since it was cut. Branches should not be brittle, and the needles should be green and somewhat flexible. Standing the tree upright, lift it a few inches above the ground and drop it down on its stem. If a large number of needles fall out of the tree, then the freshness is questionable.
Caring for Your Christmas Tree
Once you get your tree home, you'll want to make a fresh, straight cut across the bottom, about one or two inches from where the original cut was made. This ensures that the water you give to your tree will be absorbed. Once the new cut is made, you're ready to place the tree in its stand and place it where it will go in your home.
The first day you have your tree top up the water frequently. This is especially necessary if the tree came from a lot. Some people advocate adding sugar to the water, but this is not really important. Your tree will be fine with plain, unfiltered, lukewarm tap water. Your tree stand should provide one quart of water per inch in tree trunk diameter.
Keep your tree away from fireplaces, hot air ducts, stoves, space heaters, and candles to avoid fire hazards and keep the needles from drying out. Always check your tree lights and the cords used to plug them in to make sure they are in working order before placing them on the tree. Mini lights create less heat, and will not dry your tree out as quickly as standard-sized lights.
Stick with these guidelines and you're sure to end up with a gorgeous Christmas tree that will stay fresh and fragrant throughout the holiday season. Once you are finished with your tree, it can be recycled and used for other purposes, so check with your local recycling center for details.
Merry Christmas!
|  |
|
