Choosing a Christmas Tree

The rush is on. Christmas is coming and planning to decorate your Yuletide tree can be super easy and thrilling for the entire family. It is a special time of the year.

Your initial consideration in getting a Christmas tree is to determine if you want to purchase an artificial tree or a real traditional fir tree. Your personal taste would be the deciding factor.

Artificial Or The Real Thing

If you select an artificial tree you will be able to use it every year and you will have it for many years to come. There are many choices to choose from in this category. You can purchase any style of pine or fir tree, in any size, whether it be pre-lit, floor size from 4ft. to 15 ft. to a tabletop tree, snow-tipped, memory wired technology (the shape of the tree comes right out the box, no fluffing or shaping), or any color. There are mini LED trees, white pre-lit trees, fibre optic trees. Artificial potted trees for your garden, porch, or entryway can also be purchased. Selections are infinite. The initial investment when buying an artificial tree can be quite substantial but if you amortize it over a few years of use, the expenditure would be justified. A significant advantage of an artificial tree is that you won’t have to be concerned or worried about cleaning up needles from a dehydrated tree. Another distinct reason to have an artificial tree is you don’t have to go shopping every year in the cold weather. If you decide to buy an artificial Christmas Tree, our suggestion is to purchase the pre-lit variety. A prelit artificial Christmas tree has definite advantages. The newer models have miniature LED lights and they usually number in the hundreds which makes for a very impressive display of tree lighting.

A more deep-rooted tradition of the holiday season is to have a real tree. It is rustic, each and every tree is natural, original and people absolutely love the fragrance of a fresh tree. Popular tree varieties are White Pine, Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Balsam fir, Fraser fir and White Spruce.

If your preference is to buy a real tree, here are some tips on what to look for to assure lasting freshness and satisfaction over the festive season:

• decide where you want to place your tree and measure the space.
  
• Please note that you should not put your tree where there is a heat source, for example, near a wood stove or a fireplace

Taking the family for an outing to cut your own tree at a local tree farm is a lot of fun and possibly a new family tradition will begin. Or, purchase a tree from a well-established, reputable tree supplier.

Make The Right Choice

A decision must be made as to what type of tree you would like. Everyone has their favorite. Check your tree for symmetry. Check the needles for freshness by trying to bend one. When bent softly, a fresh Balsam fir needle from a new tree will break, while a needle from a new pine tree shouldn’t break. The Fraser fir tree has
excellent needle retention. A Douglas fir tree branches are strong. The fragrance of the White Spruce is the most intense.

White Spruce - Short needle Spruce with medium blue-green colour and stiff waxy quite prickly texture. Will take heavy ornaments and is traditionally a very popular Christmas tree.

Colorado Spruce - Longer needle and very similar in texture compared with other Spruces. Will also take heavy ornaments, has better needle retention and is traditionally one of the more popular Christmas trees

Balsam Fir - Balsam Fir has a deep-seated tradition in Canada, being one of the first evergreens people selected as Christmas trees. Has a deep green foliage, pliable, soft, leathery feel and not prickly texture to it. Will take medium sized ornaments and has a strong sweet fragrance, making it one of the most sought after trees on the market.

Fraser Fir (The "Ultimate" Christmas Tree) - This tree is gaining tremendous recognition as an outstanding Christmas Tree largely because of its beautiful layered appearance, upswept branch angle and excellent needle retention. Has a very pleasant sweet scent and is a deep lustrous green.

Scotch Pine - Traditionally a very popular choice, because of it's longevity in the home if properly cared for. Blue-green to green foliage with stiff, waxy and somewhat prickly texture. Pleasant fragrance and will take heavy ornaments.

White Pine - A popular tree in various regions. Very safe around small children and pets because of the very soft and flexible, not prickly foliage. Must handle tree with some care, light decorations only and has a good, pleasant fragrance.

 

Buy It Fresh & Make It Last

To check your tree for freshness, hold the tree up a couple of inches from the ground, then drop it on the cut end. Should a few needles fall off the tree it may not be as fresh as you would like it to be. Some falling needles is normal. Another test to perform would be to run your hand up the side of the tree to check out if there are any brown needles. If there is, this is not the tree for you. Also, ask the tree lot attendant to show his freshest batch of trees.

Once you get your tree home, cut 1” to a 2” off the bottom of the trunk and put it into a bucket of fresh tepid water. Let it soak the water up for a day or two. When you do this, it will allow the wrapped up tree to relax and the branches will spread out a little so you can decorate more easily. During the time your tree will be in your home check the water level every day and, if need be, add water – fresh clean water. It can drink up to a couple to gallons a week depending on the freshness and size of tree. The tree is most fresh the first two to three weeks. You can time it so that you will have a great tree for Christmas and New Years.