There was a time when cut Christmas trees were more difficult to come by, as you had to venture out into the woods, find the right size tree, cut it down and haul it home.
Today, Christmas trees are available at garden centers, pop-up lots, big box stores, and Christmas tree farms. Here's some tips for selecting a fresh tree and keeping it looking its best throughout the holiday season.
First, choose a spot in your home to place the tree before heading out to buy it. Ask yourself a few questions. Will the tree be seen from all sides, or will some of it be against a wall?
Choose a tree that fits where it is to be displayed. For example, if the tree is displayed in front of a large window, then all four sides should look as good as possible. If the tree is displayed against a wall, a tree with three good sides would be okay. A tree with two good sides would work well in a corner. The more perfect shaped a tree, the more expensive it will be.
Before selecting a tree, use a tape measure to measure the height and width of the space you have available in the room where the tree will be placed. There is nothing worse than bringing a tree indoors only to find it's too tall. Take the tape measure with you to the farm or retail lot to measure your chosen tree and bring a cord to tie your tree to the car.
Another consideration is to pick a spot away from heat sources such as TVs, fireplaces, radiators, heaters, and air vents. A dried-out tree is a safety hazard. Also make sure the tree is clear of doors.
If buying from a retail lot, go during daylight hours. Choosing a tree in daylight is a much easier experience then trying to pick out a tree in a dimly lit lot.
Do some research on different Christmas tree varieties. Some varieties hold needles longer or have a longer-lasting fragrance than others. Some tree varieties have stiff branches and a more open habit, making them more suitable for large ornaments.
Choose a fresh tree. A fresh tree will have a healthy green appearance with few browning needles. Needles should be flexible and not fall off if you run a branch through your hand. Raise the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it on the butt end. Very few green needles should drop off the tree. It is normal for a few inner brown needles to drop.
Make sure the handle or base of the tree is straight and 6 to 9 inches long so it will fit easily into your stand.
Trees sold on retail lots in urban areas may have come from out of state and may have been exposed to drying winds in transit. They may have also been cut weeks earlier. Buy trees early before the best trees have been sold. Ask the retailer whether trees are delivered once at the beginning of the season or if they are delivered at different times during the selling season. Purchasing a tree from a Christmas tree farm ensures that you will have a fresh tree.
If you are not putting the tree up right away, store it in an unheated garage or some other area out of the wind and cold (freezing) temperatures. Make a fresh, 1-inch cut on the butt end and place the tree in a bucket of warm water. When you decide to bring the tree indoors, make another fresh 1-inch cut and place the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. A good rule of thumb is one quart of water for every inch of diameter of the trunk.
Be sure to keep the water level above the base of the tree. If the base dries out, resin will form over the cut end and the tree will not be able to absorb water and will dry out quickly.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.
Commercially prepared mixes, aspirin, sugar, or other additives added to the water are not necessary. Research has shown that plain water will keep a tree fresh.
Keeping a Cut Tree Fresh
Keeping a cut tree fresh during the holidays is largely an issue of water. Anything you can do to keep the tree hydrated will keep it fresh.
Start by making a fresh, quarter-inch cut around the base of the tree if it has been more than two days since it was harvested. Use a tree stand with a water reservoir of at least 1.5 gallons — a freshly cut, average-size tree can use up to a gallon of water each day.
Refill the stand with clean water regularly so that the water level does not drop below the base of the tree. Keep the tree away from heat — don't position it near heating vents. Douglas fir and Fraser fir should remain fresh inside a house for four or five weeks.