Choosing a Christmas tree
Going to a Christmas tree farm can become a great family tradition, but with so many trees to choose from, how can you tell which is the best one for you? Denis Flanagan of Landscape Ontario provides his tips on how to select the perfect tree for your home, whether from a tree farm or a lot.
CONSIDER VARIETIES
Traditionally, spruce and pine were the main varieties harvested on Ontario Christmas tree farms. But over the past few years, Flanagan says, fir and balsam have risen in popularity. Their stiff, waxy needles make ornament hanging easier, plus they retain moisture, allowing them to last about two weeks indoors — twice as long as the soft-needled pine and spruce.
You can expect to pay more for these premium trees — around $50 to $100 depending on their height and size, compared to $20 to $40 for a pine or spruce tree.
CHECK FOR FRESHNESS
Selecting a tree “is like picking fresh fruit from the supermarket,” says Flanagan. Shake the tree before taking it off the lot. If a lot of needles fall out, that’s an indication that the tree is too dry. It’s also a good idea to inspect the needles for discolouring.
TRUNK CHECK
To make sure your tree is straight, examine the trunk. A crooked trunk is an indication you will have a Charlie Brown Christmas.
GET THE HISTORY
If you’re purchasing your tree pre-cut at a lot, Flanagan recommends asking where the trees came from and choosing a tree from a reputable supplier that practises sustainable tree farming.
SCALE IT DOWN
Mini cypress or Alberta spruce trees are popular for condo dwellers and those with busy lifestyles who can’t commit to properly caring for a full-sized tree. These 30- to 60-centimetre-high potted trees can be watered every three to four days, just like any normal house plant. Mini cypress trees come in a variety of colours, including blue and gold, adding interest to your holiday decor.
MEASURE
There’s nothing worse than coming home with a tree and discovering it’s too big for your living room. Get out your measuring tape before you go to the farm to avoid disappointment.
Flanagan recommends allowing three feet of circumference for the average sixfoottree. Once you’ve placed your tree in the stand, leave five to six inches from the tips to allow branches to flop down.
“Because the tree has been bundled in netting or twine, once its branches heat up in the house they drop down to their natural shape,” he says.
WATER FIRST
Flanagan recommends cutting the end of the trunk no more than half an hour before placing it in water.
“If you cut the trunk too early, it seals over again and it’s hard to get water into the tree,” says Flanagan.
Leave your tree in water overnight before decorating it to make sure it has time to drink and allow branches to settle into their natural shape.
MAKE IT LAST
“I get three months out of my Christmas tree,” boasts Flanagan, who places his fir tree outside after Christmas, adorning it with bird treats for the rest of winter. He then chops up the needles, using them as mulch in his spring garden.