The first Saturday in December is traditionally the day our family picks out and puts up our Christmas tree. We’ve hunted down the perfect tree on tree farms (where we not only pick out just the right tree, but also cut it down ourselves), tree lots, and believe it or not, one year I even helped my sister-in-law pick out a Christmas tree from the back of a semi-truck parked on the side of a rural highway.
No matter where you choose to purchase your tree there are some hard and fast rules you want to keep in mind before emptying your wallet and strapping your Tanenbaum to the roof of the car.
The first thing: look for freshness. The freshest trees come from “cut-your-own” tree farms. All the farms we’ve been to provide on-site saws for patrons to use. I would suggest bringing a spouse, family member or friend if you are opting to cut your own tree. As far as I’m concerned it’s a two-person job. If you are the designated cutter you’ll want to lie on the ground with the saw and instruct your helper to hold the bottom limbs up. While the cut is being made, your helper should tug on the tree lightly to ensure the saw does not bind. If you’re using a chain saw, make a back cut first. The final cut should come from the opposite side.
If you can’t make it out to a farm, don’t despair, I have found some wonderfully fresh pre-cut trees at various tree lots and garden centers. Just be sure to bend the branches to see if they snap. If they do, don’t buy it. Also, bend the needles. If they bend easily, the tree is fresh. If they break, keep looking. Finally, remember to check the bottom of the tree. Turn it upside down to make sure it is sappy. If it’s not, the tree is almost dead.
Personally, I love the Fraser Fir (it’s considered the king of Christmas trees and that title is reflected in the price). It smells incredible and the branches accommodate decorations of all shapes and sizes. It is also a very lightweight tree (I once hauled a 7-foot Fraser Fir to the curb by myself when I was 8-months pregnant). What’s more, like all fir trees, the needles are flat and very dark on top and silver underneath.
Other popular Christmas trees include the White Spruce, which is considered a traditional New England Christmas tree. It has a cone-shaped crown and a very strong aroma. My mom likes it because its needle retention is better than other spruce species.
The Blue Spruce is also a great Christmas tree. It has a great shape, and is ideal for people who have heavy Christmas ornaments since it has very strong branches. The only down side is that the tree has very pointy needles. Not good if you have young children.
What is your favorite type of Christmas tree?
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