Christmas trees strung with colored lights and covered in ornaments and other trinkets are staples of the holiday season.
Finding the perfect tree and decorating it is as much a Christmas tradition as eggnog and bad gifts from distant aunts and uncles.
There is much debate over what tree is better — artificial or real — but the fact of the matter remains that an artificial tree will not provide the aroma or experience a real tree can offer.
Before you go out shopping at your tree farm or just up the corner at the Christmas tree lot, first measure the openings of your home and the space where you will set up your tree.
A tree out in the open, or beneath the 12-foot ceilings of a warehouse store will look small. But when that same tree is brought into your home, it can be immense. A measuring tape can help remove any doubt about the tree’s dimensions.
When selecting a tree, you want one that has been recently cut or is the freshest. If you’re cutting the tree down yourself at a farm, it’s easy to determine the tree’s vitality. However, it may not be so apparent at a tree lot where trees may have been sitting around since right after Thanksgiving.
Remember, a healthy tree can last several weeks if it is brought indoors freshly cut and maintained with regular watering.
Be sure to shake the tree out before you transport it home. This will loosen any dead branches and needles, which will make a mess of your car and home.
Most tree lots and farms will wrap the tree in netting so that it stays condensed and portable for the trip home. Tie it securely so you don’t end up with an airborne tree on the roads home, which has happened to many people.
Also, be sure to cut off an inch to two inches of the trunk off to promote good water absorption later on.
When the tree is home, carefully bring it indoors (those door measurements will come in handy now). Make sure that your tree stand will fit the circumference of the tree’s trunk. Do not shave the sides of the trunk to get it to fit or you risk compromising how long the tree will last.
A cut tree first can absorb as much as one gallon of water 24 hours after it is cut. After that the general rule is that a tree needs approximately one quart of water per inch of trunk diameter. Adding special mixes to the water will not help it last any longer.
By following these tips you can ensure you have a beautiful and healthy tree to enjoy for the duration of the season.
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