When it comes to Christmas, it’s all about traditions and family time. And–besides probably the presents–there can never be as big a tradition as decorating the Christmas tree.
However, it can be quite a hassle to pick the perfect one. In this comprehensive article, we’ve gathered some handy tips for first-time buyers of real Christmas trees:
When Should You Buy a Real Christmas Tree?
The first or second weekend in December is ideal for purchasing your Christmas tree. Although it may seem premature, doing this will allow you to avoid the competition for the best tree and have a lovely new tree.
If you wait until the week before Christmas, you will sadly have to pick among those who have already begun to lose their needles. Freshly cut trees can survive for up to six weeks. That’s so long as long as they receive proper care and are kept well-hydrated during the season.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) locator can help you find a real Christmas tree retailer.
Purchasing your Christmas tree online is an additional choice. Since it doesn’t require any prior knowledge of choosing a real Christmas tree, thousands of families participate in it. At competitive prices, tree dealers such as the ones at Fantastic Services provide a comprehensive package that covers delivery, installation, collection, and recycling. Give them a call, and they will come to your house with a freshly cut, premium tree right to your front door.
What to Do Before You Pick a Real Christmas Tree
- Make sure you take a measurement of the room’s ceiling height before putting the Christmas tree on display. Remember that you need to allow for the tree stand and the topper, so the tree should be at least one metre shorter than the height of the ceiling.
- Take a measurement of the room’s width because, occasionally, a tree can fit the height requirements but be too large, taking up half of the interior space.
- Remember to take a measurement of your tree stand’s opening. To prevent errors, utilise a measuring tape instead of depending solely on your vision.
What Type of Real Christmas Tree to Pick
There are various kinds of real Christmas trees you can find at Christmas tree farms and lots.
To help you decide, here are some of the best Christmas trees to pick from:
- The branches of balsam are flexible and have a dark green colour. If you have heavier ornaments, this could be viewed as a drawback. Its form and capacity to contain its needles make up for it, though.
- If you’re looking for the ideal pyramid shape, the Douglas fir is the tree for you. When choosing a Christmas tree, choose a Douglas fir with needles that range from blue to dark green.
- Distinguished firs are ideal for large ornaments. Their needles have a tendency to curve upward, and their branches are sturdy and well-spaced.
- The most popular type of Christmas tree is the Scotch pine. Their needles are dark green, and their branches are stiff. Scotch pines provide plenty of space for decorations and can retain their needles for up to four weeks.
- White pines have almost no fragrance, and this is ideal for those who suffer from allergies. Their needles are also blue-green and stay on the tree for the entire Christmas season.
What to Look for When You Pick a Christmas Tree
Choosing a real Christmas tree can be confusing because, although a tree may appear perfect, it may lose needles too quickly or become unbalanced due to the weight of the decorations. Here are some suggestions for choosing a Christmas tree:
- Seek out a tree with a brilliant, vivid colour. This indicates that it was recently trimmed. You can find out from the retailer whether they receive multiple shipments of trees throughout the season or just one shipment at the start. In this manner, you can ascertain the date of the tree’s cutting and its freshness;
- Once you’ve selected a tree that appeals to you, shake it. You can test its needle retention in this manner. Check the outer branches if it doesn’t shed a lot of needles. Verify that they are not easily broken and are not brittle. A tree is too dry if its branches break easily and it loses needles quickly;
- Remember to check your Christmas tree for pests and insects, as many different kinds of insects find refuge in both potted and freshly cut trees. It is not a good idea to contact pest control just before the holidays, is it?
- You should always make sure the tree’s base is straight before choosing a real one. The base should be no wider than 20 centimetres or small enough to be held in the palm of your hand;
- The Christmas tree should be stored in an unheated room or garage if you plan to store it before putting it on display. It must be protected from freezing temperatures and wind.
How to Take a Real Christmas Tree Home
You’ve probably seen tonnes of films and cartoons where a family picks up a Christmas tree, ties it to the roof of the car, and they all go home happy. In reality, this is wrong, and a lot of people don’t know it. If you do the same thing, the winds generated by highway speed will dry out your tree. It’s better to keep the tree inside of the car, covered in a net or blanket.
If you’ve followed the tips on how to pick a real Christmas tree and you’ve made your decision, the tree lot helpers will cut the stump of the tree for you and help you fit the tree in your vehicle. They offer delivery services most of the time if it can’t fit in your car.
Christmas Tree Care Tips
You have to know how to care for a real Christmas tree if you want it to keep its needles and aroma throughout the holidays.
- Place the tree in the water as soon as you get home. Make sure that the surface of the cut doesn’t get dirty or bruised;
- Don’t trim the sides of the trunk just to fit it into a smaller tree stand. This will harm the tree and prevent it from absorbing water properly;
- Check the amount of water daily. It doesn’t matter if you use cold or warm water because its temperature doesn’t affect the tree’s health. However, don’t use hot water;
- When you care for a real Christmas tree, you should keep it away from lights that emit high heat or near heaters and fireplaces. This will dry it out and might cause fires;
- Don’t throw your Christmas tree once the holidays are over. You should help protect the environment and recycle it. Check if there is a recycling centre in your area or bring it to the closest zoo.
Final words
To sum up, picking and maintaining a real Christmas tree is essential to our joyous customs, bringing cosiness and fond memories to the festive season. Every step towards creating a treasured and welcoming home decor, from timing considerations to choosing the perfect tree variety, matters. For the tree to remain beautiful, freshness, careful transportation, and regular hydration are essential. Beyond the festivities, the tree’s ethical recycling highlights our dedication to sustainability. By embarking on this journey, we not only decorate our homes but also build warm, inviting environments and priceless memories that embody the genuine spirit of the holidays.