How to Choose a Christmas Tree
By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 29 million households
bought Christmas trees in 2006 compared to just over 9 million households
with artificial trees. Of those with real trees, most (84 percent) bought them at
retail outlets, the others cutting their own.
If you get a tree either way, before you even leave home, measure the space
your tree will occupy—both height and width. Then take a tape measure with
you. Trees always seem to look smaller in the great outdoors than when we
get them into our homes! This simple step can save money buying a tree too
large, and extra cutting once the tree is inside.
Also, before leaving home pack a blanket or tarp to wrap the tree if you can’t
fit it inside your vehicle, as well as enough rope to tie securely to your
vehicle. Some tree farms have netting sleeves to slip your trees into, as well as
twine. A pair of work gloves is useful, especially if you’ll be cutting your
own, as is a hand saw
Those choosing to “cut their own tree” at a tree plantation may save money, as
these growers often ask a fixed price for any tree. Sometimes a sleigh ride or
coffee and doughnuts at a warming hut are included in the price. Some firms
allow you to tag your tree early to cut just before the holidays. Good buys
also can be found at retail outlets, though prices are usually higher as
someone else has provided the labor and transportation. Shop early for a
wider selection of trees, and for fresh trees that will last longer.
How can you easily check for freshness?
First, pinch the needles. If they bend rather than break, the tree is fresh. Run
your hand along the branches to see if the needles stay on or many fall off. Or
bounce the stump end of the tree on the ground. If too many needles fall off,
choose another tree. Another way to check for freshness is to feel the base of
the tree. If it is sticky with resin, the tree was recently cut and should stand up
well throughout the holidays.
Many varieties of evergreens are grown for Christmas trees, so you have
several choices depending on your own preference. The spruce has short,
sharp, four-sided needles and is usually bushier than pine. However, it
doesn't hold its needles as well as other varieties. The fir has flat, short
needles and smooth bark. The pine has longer needles in clusters of two to
five and will keep its needles for several weeks. Most popular, depending on
area, are balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine
and white pine.
I like to shop early for the freshest trees, even if I wont use them right away.
Precut trees from retailers will last longer in a cool area (such as garage) at
your home in a bucket of water than in a sales yard. Upon getting your tree
home, especially if you didn’t cut your own, immediately place the base in a
large bucket of warm water. Warm water is absorbed faster than cold.
Research has shown that plain tap water is best for trees to last longest. Home
concoctions such as bleach, aspirin, lemon-lime soda, and many preservatives
may actually shorten tree life.
It is useful to recut a half inch off to open up the water vessels in the trunk.
One to two inches cut off is not needed as often recommended (unless you
need to shorten the tree size), nor is an angled cut.
When it's time to set up the tree, if you don’t do so just after buying, recut the
base. Get a stand that can hold the trunk. Don’t trim sides off the base of the
trunk as that is where the tree takes up its water.
Use a tree stand that holds at least a quart of water for small trees, a gallon for
large ones, as a freshly cut evergreen can drink that much water each day.
Generally figure on a quart of water for each inch of trunk diameter at the
base. So a trunk four inches across should have a stand holding four quarts
(gallon) of water.
If your tree doesn’t start “drinking” water right away, and you followed all
these tips, it could be because the tree hasn’t adjusted from the outdoors and
started to dry out if you cut your own. Or if precut, and fresh, it may not
absorb much water until it begins to dry out.
Choose a location away from heat sources (heat vents, radiators, wood stoves,
sunny windows) and doorways. Tall trees may need to be secured with wire
to walls and ceilings for support. I have a bookcase affixed securely to the
wall that I tie my tall trees to.
Be sure to check trees daily and add water as needed. Heated rooms,
especially with forced air heat, can dry out trees rapidly. Keep in mind fire
hazards of live trees indoors often are overrated by the media. According to
data from the National Fire Protection Association, both live and artificial
Christmas trees are ignited in only one tenth of one percent (0.1 percent) of all
home fires. Trees that are kept fresh, using these tips, are very difficult to
ignite. The main problem with dry trees is a shorter life with needles
dropping. Pick a fresh tree, and keep it fresh, and you’ll get the enjoyment
you expect over the holidays.
Related Stories:
Grow Your Own Christmas Trees
Mail Order Christmas Trees
By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 29 million households
bought Christmas trees in 2006 compared to just over 9 million households
with artificial trees. Of those with real trees, most (84 percent) bought them at
retail outlets, the others cutting their own.
If you get a tree either way, before you even leave home, measure the space
your tree will occupy—both height and width. Then take a tape measure with
you. Trees always seem to look smaller in the great outdoors than when we
get them into our homes! This simple step can save money buying a tree too
large, and extra cutting once the tree is inside.
Also, before leaving home pack a blanket or tarp to wrap the tree if you can’t
fit it inside your vehicle, as well as enough rope to tie securely to your
vehicle. Some tree farms have netting sleeves to slip your trees into, as well as
twine. A pair of work gloves is useful, especially if you’ll be cutting your
own, as is a hand saw
Those choosing to “cut their own tree” at a tree plantation may save money, as
these growers often ask a fixed price for any tree. Sometimes a sleigh ride or
coffee and doughnuts at a warming hut are included in the price. Some firms
allow you to tag your tree early to cut just before the holidays. Good buys
also can be found at retail outlets, though prices are usually higher as
someone else has provided the labor and transportation. Shop early for a
wider selection of trees, and for fresh trees that will last longer.
How can you easily check for freshness?
First, pinch the needles. If they bend rather than break, the tree is fresh. Run
your hand along the branches to see if the needles stay on or many fall off. Or
bounce the stump end of the tree on the ground. If too many needles fall off,
choose another tree. Another way to check for freshness is to feel the base of
the tree. If it is sticky with resin, the tree was recently cut and should stand up
well throughout the holidays.
Many varieties of evergreens are grown for Christmas trees, so you have
several choices depending on your own preference. The spruce has short,
sharp, four-sided needles and is usually bushier than pine. However, it
doesn't hold its needles as well as other varieties. The fir has flat, short
needles and smooth bark. The pine has longer needles in clusters of two to
five and will keep its needles for several weeks. Most popular, depending on
area, are balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine
and white pine.
I like to shop early for the freshest trees, even if I wont use them right away.
Precut trees from retailers will last longer in a cool area (such as garage) at
your home in a bucket of water than in a sales yard. Upon getting your tree
home, especially if you didn’t cut your own, immediately place the base in a
large bucket of warm water. Warm water is absorbed faster than cold.
Research has shown that plain tap water is best for trees to last longest. Home
concoctions such as bleach, aspirin, lemon-lime soda, and many preservatives
may actually shorten tree life.
It is useful to recut a half inch off to open up the water vessels in the trunk.
One to two inches cut off is not needed as often recommended (unless you
need to shorten the tree size), nor is an angled cut.
When it's time to set up the tree, if you don’t do so just after buying, recut the
base. Get a stand that can hold the trunk. Don’t trim sides off the base of the
trunk as that is where the tree takes up its water.
Use a tree stand that holds at least a quart of water for small trees, a gallon for
large ones, as a freshly cut evergreen can drink that much water each day.
Generally figure on a quart of water for each inch of trunk diameter at the
base. So a trunk four inches across should have a stand holding four quarts
(gallon) of water.
If your tree doesn’t start “drinking” water right away, and you followed all
these tips, it could be because the tree hasn’t adjusted from the outdoors and
started to dry out if you cut your own. Or if precut, and fresh, it may not
absorb much water until it begins to dry out.
Choose a location away from heat sources (heat vents, radiators, wood stoves,
sunny windows) and doorways. Tall trees may need to be secured with wire
to walls and ceilings for support. I have a bookcase affixed securely to the
wall that I tie my tall trees to.
Be sure to check trees daily and add water as needed. Heated rooms,
especially with forced air heat, can dry out trees rapidly. Keep in mind fire
hazards of live trees indoors often are overrated by the media. According to
data from the National Fire Protection Association, both live and artificial
Christmas trees are ignited in only one tenth of one percent (0.1 percent) of all
home fires. Trees that are kept fresh, using these tips, are very difficult to
ignite. The main problem with dry trees is a shorter life with needles
dropping. Pick a fresh tree, and keep it fresh, and you’ll get the enjoyment
you expect over the holidays.
Related Stories:
Grow Your Own Christmas Trees
Mail Order Christmas Trees
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