Picking the perfect holiday tree

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu

For many people, this time of year means stringing lights, hanging wreaths and bringing live trees into homes. If you are like me, you want your holiday tree to last as long as possible. With a few tips and tricks from the National Christmas Tree Association, you can find the perfect tree for your family and keep it healthy throughout the season.

Bigger may not be better

As a kid, I never thought that a Christmas tree could be too big. But putting too large of a tree in too small of a space will negatively impact your tree’s overall health and longevity. Choosing a tree with a size appropriate to your space will also prevent you from having stained walls and ceilings from the sap.

Before you head out, measure your intended space. Be sure to choose a location that is away from heat sources such as vents and fireplaces that will cause your tree to dry out more quickly. Then take the tape measure with you so you can be sure that your tree will not touch walls, windows, or ceilings.

Also, know the size of your base. You do not want a trunk that is too big to fit into the stand.

Find a healthy tree

Start your search for a fresh, healthy tree at a local tree farm where you can cut your own, or somewhere that has freshly cut trees.

If you start with an unhealthy tree, it will be very hard to keep it alive through the holiday season. One easy way to check a tree’s health is to run a branch through your lightly enclosed hand. If the branch loses a lot of needles, the tree is not healthy or has been cut for too long. You can also check the branch to see if it is brittle. Brittle branches are a sign of an unhealthy tree.

Scent, strength and cost

Many locations offer a variety of tree types. Scots pine is going to be your most economical option and they tend to have the best needle retention. Scots pines are also good if you decorate with heavy ornaments.

If you long for that really strong "Christmas Tree smell," you should consider a Balsam Fir. These trees are usually mid-range in price and have a bit of a silvery tinge. However, their branches will not support a lot of weight.

Fraser Firs also have a great scent but tend to be more expensive. Fraser Firs have the sturdiest branches of the firs but are still not ideal for heavy ornaments.

Colorado Spruce are great for heavy ornaments but tend to be quite expensive.

Keeping it healthy at home

Once you have found the perfect and healthy tree and brought it home you will want to trim the trunk right before putting it into the stand. If you cut your tree fresh you only need to trim about 1-2 inches. If your tree has been pre-cut, you will want to trim more. This will ensure that your tree is able to take up water.

Finally, be sure to keep your tree well-watered.  Trees drink a lot of water. Depending on the size of your tree and tree stand it may need to be watered more than once per day to keep it healthy. Fresh trees will drink about 1 quart of water per inch of trunk diameter. So if your tree trunk is 4 inches in diameter it will take up approximately one gallon of water per day.

I hope you find the perfect tree to complement your home and family traditions this year.