How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree

Some people consider the selection of a tree to be one of the most important decisions made during the Holiday Season. Many people will travel from site to site, farm to farm looking for the quintesential Christmas Tree. This page is dedicated to those people and to those that simply go to the neighborhood provider and select the first tree they find. The advice offered here will assist you in finding a tree that will stand as a welcome decoration for your home.

ALWAYS check for freshness - The proper way to check a tree for freshness is to gently grasp a limb in your fingers and pull towards you, going with the direction of the needles. The needles of the tree should be brightly colored, give off a good scent and only a few should fall off in your hand. If the needles are hard, dull and quite a few come off, the tree has already dried out and won't last long in your home. Don't buy a tree that's bigger than the space avaialable. Keep in mind that that the average tree stand adds four to six inches to the height of the tree and the star, angel, or top knot, can add as much as 12 inches. It's best to measure the avaialable space before you leave to purchase the tree. Know how much tree you can afford. Tree prices can range from $5 to $100+ or more! Tree prices should be about the same this year as last, with the possibility that they might be a little cheaper since the weather in the tree growing states has been wetter than normal and has provided a good growing year. It's best to have realistic prices in mind when you go to pick out your tree. People in the warmer southern states can expect sticker shock when looking for a good tree so don't be caught off guard. If you want the best quality, buy as soon as you can. You might try checking with your local nursery, to find out when they are expecting the next shipment of tress to arrive. Get there as soon as possible to find the best of what's new. If you want the best price, wait as long as the children will let you. As soon as you get the tree home, you'll want to cut about 1/2 an inch off the bottom. This is expose fresh cambian which hasn't been sealed off by drying. Your tree will then be able to drink more freely. Once the tree is up, give it water immediately. You can expect your tree to drink at least 1 gallon of water in the first 24 hours it's in your home PLEASE remember to keep the tree away from fireplaces, heaters, close heat registers that might blow towards the tree, and avoid placing your tree benaeth direct intense lights.

For more information on Christmas Trees, visit the Untited States, National Christmas Tree Association at: http://www.christree.org

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