Tips, tricks for picking a real Christmas tree

For many, the weekend after Thanksgiving means it’s time to put up your Christmas tree. If you, like me, prefer to decorate a fresh (as opposed to artificial) Christmas tree each year, here are some tips to help you keep your tree attractive throughout the season.

Find the right place for your Christmas tree before you buy it

The first step is to select the right place to set up your tree. If you are decorating your tree with electric lights, the tree should be convenient to an electrical source.

This is a good time to mention that you should check your lights for frayed wires, loose connections and broken bulbs. Only use lights rated for indoor use.

The tree should be placed in a spot that does not get direct sun. Nor should it be below an air duct that will blow warm dry air on it when your heater comes on. Make sure it is not near a fireplace, and that it is out of the normal traffic patterns.

Measure your ceiling height as well as the height of your tree topper. Nothing is more frustrating than having a tree that is too tall.

What to look for when buying a real Christmas tree

Now it is time to find a tree. As you are choosing a vendor, look for one that tries to keep their trees as fresh as possible. It is typical for the trees to have been harvested and shipped a few weeks before they are displayed.

To be sure you are getting the freshest tree possible, consider that unwrapped trees should be stored in the shade or in a cooler to remain fresh. The unwrapped displayed trees should be in water.

A fresh tree will have soft, pliable branches. Scotch, Douglas, Balsam firs as well as White pine, have naturally good needle-holding qualities, while spruce trees tend to lose needles quickly. Run your hand through the branches. Very few needles should come off in your hand. The sap on the tree stump should be sticky and moist, not hard or caked.

The vendor should make a fresh cut for you on the base of the tree to remove the layer of dried sap.

How to keep your Christmas tree from drying out

If you are traveling with the tree on top of your vehicle, consider taking a route home that enables you to drive a little slower. The wind from driving at high speeds can dry the tree out quickly.

When you get home, immediately, place the tree in a bucket of water until you are ready to set it up. Trees need more water than we expect. A fresh tree can use up to 3 quarts of water the first day. After the tree is set up and decorated, make sure that you fill up the water reservoir on the stand and replenish the tree’s water every day. A properly watered and cared-for tree should last throughout the season.

Which Christmas lights will work best with your real tree

Using miniature or LED lights will produce less heat, keeping the tree fresher longer. Make sure electrical circuits are not overloaded. Turning off the lights at night, and when you are not home is a definite safety consideration.

What you should know about live Christmas trees

Purchasing a live tree with roots still attached is an environmentally friendly option for a Christmas tree. You can usually find trees growing in containers at your local nursery. As with a cut tree, it is important to check the rootball occasionally and water it when needed. Trees that will do well when replanted in North Florida include Red Cedar,