One of the most traditional holiday traditions is picking out a live Christmas tree. While going to the tree farm is just once a year, it is a memory that will last a lifetime. Don’t settle for a tiny, unkempt Charlie Brown tree this year. We’ll show you how to choose a genuine Christmas tree that will survive all through the season!
We’ll also cover how to care for a real Christmas tree so it looks festive and brilliant from the moment you bring it home until the decorations are put away in the basement. If you want to have a sustainable and environmentally friendly holiday, be sure you recycle your real Christmas tree once the season is over.
1. Choose Your Location At Home
Before you go to the lot or store to find this year’s perfect tree, make sure you know where you want to put it and how much space you have. Avoid areas near fireplaces, radiators, heating vents, and even TVs or sun-drenched windows if possible.
Also, tuck the tree into a low-traffic location to prevent inadvertent bumping and other safety concerns. Next, start measuring the dimensions of the space you have to work with, keeping in mind that a tree stand, as well as a star or angel to finish the top, will add a few extra inches of height.
A minimum of six inches should be left between the peak of your tree and the ceiling. Allow at least 12 inches if you’re going to use a tree topper. A 7-foot tall tree is ideal if your ceilings are standard at 8 feet.
2. Check the Tree’s Freshness
Check the new Christmas tree’s trunk first. There should be a little stickiness to the trunk. With your fingers, bend a needle in half; new firs should snap, whereas fresh pines should bend but not break.
Grab the interior of a limb and draw your hand toward you to select the finest Christmas tree that will stay the longest. The needles should remain attached to the tree. Alternatively, touch the cut end of a tree on the ground lightly; if a few needles fall off, that’s okay. Continue looking for a new tree if a lot of needles come off.
If a Christmas tree becomes too dry, it will turn from a bright, rich green to a bland gray-green. Always err on the side of caution and adopt a “greener is better” attitude.
3. Know What You Want
Because each tree species is unique, finding the best kinds of real Christmas trees for your family requires matching them to your family’s requirements and desires. If you have children, for example, you may choose soft-needled pines or firs over spruce trees, which have sharp needles that might hurt you if you walk on them.
There are three or four common tree types at the lot. The shape, feel, and color of a tree are all factors to consider while selecting the right type. Some of the trees are dark green, while others are gray or white in color. There are trees with dense branching patterns and others with more open branching patterns. One thing to keep in mind is that if the tree seems to be extremely full but is devoid of decorations, decorating it may be challenging.
During the selecting process, most trees that wind up on a lot have been trimmed and sheared to look great. Then you bring it home and discover how little room there is for decorations. Choosing one with a few open spots might be a better option. Bring a couple of your favorite decorations with you to try out on the lot. Make sure the first foot of the trunk is straight as well, otherwise you’ll have a hard time making it to stand up straight at home.
4. Freshen the Trunk
When you bring your Christmas tree home, be sure to look after the trunk. Remove about a half-inch of the tree’s trunk from the bottom (or ask the Christmas tree lot to do this for you). Because fresh-cut trees absorb more water, they retain their needles and color for longer. After cutting the tree, put it in water as soon as possible. While it may be attractive to put the tree close to a fireplace, keep in mind that heat sources, like as a heating vent, may cause your tree to dry out more quickly. Place your tree somewhere cool and dry. Keep the water in your tree stand full at all times to keep your Christmas tree looking great. During the first few days, you may need to add water two or three times.
