By: Liam
Whether you do it at the start of the holiday preparations or wait until just before Christmas, choosing the perfect Christmas tree is a key tradition for many of us. America's Christmas Tree Growers have developed these basic tips to help you find and keep the perfect tree this year.
Look for a tree lot that will either let you cut down the tree you choose yourself, or will let you watch them cut down the tree to ensure its freshness. If you must purchase a pre-cut tree, be sure to ask where it was shipped from and when it was cut.
When walking the lot looking for a good tree, don't immediately eliminate ones with flattened or ill-shaped sides. Mother Nature tends to produce trees that are not symmetrical. Most of us place our tree in a corner or against a wall anyway, any imperfections will be hidden.
Remember, trees always look taller out of doors with the sky as their ceiling. Be sure to measure your ceiling height correctly before leaving home, as well as door widths and room sizes to ensure that the size and width tree you choose will actually fit once you get it home!
Look for trees with pliable needles. If they snap or bend easily or pull off the branch with little effort, the tree may have been picked days or weeks earlier and won't hold up to the heat indoors. You do not want your tree losing large quantities of its needles quickly after it is decorated.
All evergreens shed needles from the inner branches as they grow, so don't worry if a few fall off when you pick up the tree or shake it. In some larger centers tree retailers offer shaking service to help clear these loose needles from the inside of your tree before taking it into the house.
If it is offered, have your tree baled in plastic tree netting to make it easier to get home and set up. This is a very helpful service.
After selecting your tree and getting it home you want it to look majestic throughout the season.
Here area few tips on how to care for your family's new Christmas Tree:
If you are exhausted from the search and will not be putting your tree up right away, cut about a half inch off of the trunk and set it in a bucket of water until you're ready to take it inside.
When you are ready to bring your tree inside, cut another ½ inch off of the bottom of the tree trunk, then place it in the tree stand with enough water to cover the entire diameter of the tree - about one quart of water for each inch of diameter stem. Water should be kept at this level to ensure freshness. If the trunk of your tree is allowed to seal over the tree will quickly dry and lose a lot of needles before Christmas ever arrives.
Many tree stands have a label that indicates the size of tree the stand can accommodate. Be sure that you check any label or instructions regarding your tree stand.
Merchants may not agree but the best tree preservative is plain water. No need for added chemicals.
Your tree must always be kept away from your homes heat source. The temperature in the room should be turned down ( if possible) when unoccupied. This keeps your tree moist and fresh as well as possibly saving on energy costs.
