Whether you prefer the classic look of a fir or the unique charm of a cypress, finding the perfect Christmas tree means finding the right size, shape, and fragrance. This guide will help you choose, transport, and care for your Christmas tree, ensuring it remains a beautiful centerpiece throughout the holiday season.
Christmas Tree Varieties
While fir trees are the most common and popular type of Christmas tree, pine, spruce, and even cypress trees can make suitable Yuletide decorations.
Fir Trees
Fir trees are among the most popular choices for Christmas trees due to their classic appearance and pleasant aroma.
- The balsam fir is known for its deep green color and excellent needle retention. It has a spire-like top that’s perfect for showcasing a star or angel. It also has a strong fragrance.
- The Fraser fir, often considered a cousin to the Balsam, has needles with a bluish-silver underside.
- The Douglas Fir has a pale green color and soft needles, making it child-friendly. However, its limbs are more delicate and may not support heavy ornaments compared to other varieties.
Pine and Spruce
- The Scotch pine is a hardy option popular in colder regions. It has soft, hairlike needles and stands up well to transportation.
- The Virginia pine, common in the South, has a straight trunk and classic pine scent, though it can be quite sticky due to its natural resin.
- The Monterey pine, favored in the Southwest, has a deep green color with medium-length needles and a bushy appearance.
- The Colorado Blue spruce has silvery blue-tinted needles (as the name suggests). It has a rounded pyramid shape, giving it a full appearance, and features fragrant but sharp needles.
Cypress
- The Arizona cypress, popular from North Carolina to Texas, has a steel-blue color with soft needles and a lemony mint aroma.
- The Leyland cypress is an excellent choice for those with allergies, as it is not very fragrant. This tree has a deep green color.
Where To Buy Your Christmas Tree
The source of your Christmas tree can significantly impact its freshness and overall quality.
For the freshest trees, consider visiting an established tree farm. These farms grow trees specifically for Christmas, ensuring they’re in prime condition when harvested. Many offer a cut-your-own experience, allowing you to select the exact tree you want.
Retail lots that source from local farms are another good option. According to Clarke Gernon, chairman of the National Christmas Tree Association, most Christmas trees are cut about 3 to 4 weeks before they arrive on the lot — usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Online Christmas Tree Shopping
Online shopping offers convenience, allowing you to browse and purchase from the comfort of your home. Many online retailers provide detailed information about their trees and offer delivery services.
However, when buying online, you miss the opportunity to inspect the tree personally. Be sure to read reviews and understand the retailer’s policies regarding tree quality and returns.
How to Select the Best Christmas Tree
Selecting the perfect Christmas tree involves more than just picking a type you like. Once you’ve settled on a variety, you’ll still have to choose the ideal individual.
Size and Shape
Before heading to the tree lot, measure your space. Consider the height of your ceiling and the width of the area where you’ll place the tree. Remember to account for the height of your tree stand and topper when measuring.
Roger Cook, landscape contractor for This Old House, warns: “If you go to someone’s house and there is a big, brown streak across the ceiling, that’s usually where they stood up a Christmas tree that was too tall. “
Different tree species have varying girths, so ensure you have enough depth to accommodate the branches without squishing them against the wall.
Needle Retention
The ability of a tree to retain its needles throughout the holiday season is a key consideration. Trees like the Fraser fir and Scotch pine are known for their excellent needle retention.
Fragrance
While some trees, like the balsam fir, offer a strong, traditional Christmas scent, others, like the Leyland cypress, have minimal fragrance, making them suitable for those with sensitivities.
Branch Strength
When selecting your tree, consider the type of decorations you plan to use. Some varieties, like the Scotch pine, have sturdy branches that can support heavier ornaments. Others, like the Douglas fir, have more delicate limbs better suited for lighter decorations.
Assessing a Good Tree
Once you’ve perused the lot, picking the right tree is like picking a ripe mango: You should smell and touch it.
- Test the branches. Grab any branch on the tree between your thumb and forefinger, gently clamp down and pull towards yourself. If you end up with a handful of needles, the tree is already past its prime.
- Crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. Depending on the variety, there should be a strong, fresh, scent.
- Bounce the tree by holding it a few inches above the ground and dropping it. If the exterior needles fall off, it’s sure sign of a bad apple. Needles that fall off from the interior of the tree are normal.
- Make absolutely sure the tree’s trunk fits your stand. Trimming the diameter of the tree by cutting away the bark will strip the tree of its cambium layer, which absorbs water. If this happens your tree is a goner.
Transporting Your Christmas Tree
Once you’ve selected your perfect tree, it’s important to transport it home safely to avoid damage.
Before leaving the lot, have the tree shaken or blown to remove any loose needles. Then, have it wrapped in netting or twine. This not only protects the branches but also makes the tree easier to handle.
Securing the Tree to Your Vehicle
If you’re transporting the tree on top of your vehicle, place it with the trunk facing forward to minimize wind damage. Use strong rope or bungee cords to secure it tightly to your roof rack or car top. If you don’t have a roof rack, open your car doors and run the rope through the interior of your vehicle for added stability.
Setting Up Your Christmas Tree
Proper setup will maintain the freshness and appearance of your Christmas tree throughout the holiday season.
Prepare the Tree Stand
Make sure your tree stand is sturdy and can hold enough water for your tree size. A general rule is to provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter.
Make a Fresh Cut
Before placing the tree in the stand, make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk, removing about 1/2 inch to an inch of wood. This opens up the tree’s vascular system, allowing it to take up water more easily.
Position and Straighten the Tree
Place the tree in the stand and tighten the screws to secure it. Have someone hold the tree upright while you adjust the screws to ensure it’s straight. Once positioned, fill the stand with water immediately.
Christmas Tree Care
Proper care can significantly extend the life and beauty of your Christmas tree.
Watering
Watering is crucial, especially in the first few days. As Cook advises, “People have to understand the first couple of days the tree is going to suck up at least a gallon of water.” Check the water level daily and refill as needed. Never let the water level drop below the cut end of the trunk.
Temperature
Keep your tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, or sunny windows. Lower temperatures and higher humidity will help the tree retain moisture and stay fresh longer.
Tree Disposal
Many communities offer Christmas tree recycling programs. Trees are often chipped for mulch or used in erosion prevention projects. Check with your local waste management department for recycling options in your area.