Continuing with her series on Christmas trees, Cathy Isom has some helpful tips to remember before heading out to buy your Christmas tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Christmas Tree Buying Tips
Bringing home that perfect Douglas Fir or Noble Christmas Tree and setting it up is a big tradition for many families this season.
But before you head out the door, don’t forget to measure your ceiling height and the height of your tree stand, so you know exactly what you’re working with and how big of a tree you can actually get. Also, don’t forget to grab a little extra rope if you’re planning to tie it down to the roof of your car.
Once you’re on the lot or tree farm, be sure to ask about the freshness of the tree. Grab a branch and pull it toward you. Most of the needles should stay on the tree. If a lot of needles fall off, you may want to keep looking. A dry tree is a fire hazard.
If you buy a tree, but don’t plan to set it up for a few days or longer, store it in a cool location out of the wind and sun. Trees can dry out rapidly on warm, windy days with direct sunlight on them. Cut about a ½ inch from the end of the trunk and place the tree in a container of cool water to help it stay fresh.
The best type of trees to buy include Norman Fir, Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir, Serbian Spruce, Douglas Fir, Lodgepole pine or Noble Fir.
Make sure the base of the tree is straight and at least six inches long, so it will fit easily into the tree stand. If you want to make a Christmas tree last longer, no need for fancy concoctions, just use plain water.
I’m Cathy Isom…