How To pick the perfect Christmas Tree

Picking the perfect Christmas Tree, Real or Faux

We know you are busy so lets get to the point on what you ought to know about Christmas Trees.

Five tips on picking the perfect cut tree

1. Know how big a tree you need before leaving home- both height and width.  Measure your stand to make sure the trunk will fit into it.
2. To ensure maximum freshness, find out where the tree came from when it was cut and whether the lot gets one big delivery or several shipments during the season. (Trees displayed in full sun will dry out faster than those stored in shade.)
3. Do a freshness test.  Green needles will bend up to a point but then break crisply when bent sharply (except for pine needles, which won't break unless they are very dry).  Other lack of freshness signs: excessive needle loss, needle loss from the branch tips, discolored foliage, musty odor and wrinkled bark.  Note: Its normal for older brown needles to drop from the inside for the tree.
4. Pull prospective trees out from the line and have someone hold it up while you look at its form from different angles.  Also look for straight trunks.
5. Shop in daylight or at a well lit lot.

Five Ways to make your cut tree last

1. Make a fresh, straight cut of 1/2 to 1 inch off the bottom of the trunk just before it goes into the stand.
2. Use a big enough reservoir for the tree, such as one that holds 1 quart of water for every 1 inch of stem diameter at the bottom.  Example: A trunk with a 4 inch diameter should have a 4 Quart stand.
3. Make sure water is added often enough that the level never drops below the cut stub.  That will keep the sap from sealing over and shutting off the water flow.
4. Forget about using additives such as floral preservatives, commercial liquids, aspirin, bleach, sugar, soft drink, honey vodka, cts.  Ordinary tap water is as good as anything.
5. Display the tree well away from heat sources, such as fireplaces and heater vents.  Also miniature lights and LED lights produce less drying heat than the old fashioned bigger ones.

Five interesting facts about Christmas Trees

1. About one out of every four trees sold will be an artificial one.  Last year Americans bought 28.6 million real trees and 9.3 million artificial ones.
2. About 85 percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.  Evergreens used as real trees are grown in all 50 U.S. states on 5000,000 acres by 21,000 mostly small scale tree farmers.
3. Of those who buy real trees, 84 percent buy them already cut ( retail lots, garden centers, chain stores, and 16 percent cut their own.
4. Hessian troops fighting for Britain in the Revolutionary War brought the idea of Christmas trees to American in 1777.
5. It takes an average Christmas tree seven years grow to the 6 to 7 foot size that most people want.

Five tips for picking an artificial Christians Tree

1. Consider ease of assembly and storage.  Some models are hinged so they fold up and down quickly in sections.  Less expensive ones are generally hooked types that are assembled branch by branch.
2. Look at the stand.  Avoid cheap plastic and metal ones.  Go with wide, sturdy metal legs that have rubber feet.  These are most stable and won't harm flooring.
3. If your are buying a prelit tree, make sure the lights are UL approved and designed so that if one light goes out, the whole string won't.
4. Make sure the tree looks full and the center pole ins't visible.  If you have a skinny area, look for a slim model.
5. Make sure the tree is labeled as fire-retardant.  Place it at home at least 3 feet away from any heat source.

Comparing Tree Costs

         Live evergreen: expect to pay about $80 to $90 for a 6 foot tall, balled and burlap Douglas fir (the most popular type) that can be planted outside after Christmas.

          Cut evergreens: Americans spent an average of  $40.50 last Christmas for a 6 to 7 foot evergreen. 

          Artificial trees: Americans last year spent an average of $68.00 for a 6 to 7 foot artificial tree, which they typically use for six to nine years.  Good quality prelit models often cost $200 - $300 and top of the line, prelit 9 footers can sell for up to $700.

Five things to do with the tree after Christmas

1. Cut off the branches and intertwine them as insulation around the base of rose bushes or other borderline hardy shrubs.
2. If you have a chipper shredder, grind up the branches as mulch.  Save, dry and cut up the trunk for firewood next winter.
3. Let the needles dry and rub them off in garden beds or in the compost pile.  Partially bury the trunk of the bare branched tree and use it as a trellis for summer annual vines.
4. If you live in a wooded area, toss the tree along a stream bank or other brushy area where birds and small mammals can use it for shelter.
5. At least make sure the tree goes to a mulching facility.  Many area municipalities and some garden centers and mulch businesses collect used trees for mulching
6. Find a Recycling Center near you.