Though some prefer to purchase artificial trees for Christmas, many still desire natural, fresh cut Christmas trees for the holiday season. For many, the process of picking out a fresh-cut tree is enjoyable and creates delightful memories. There are many things one should know if they want to purchase a fresh-cut tree, including how to pick a fresh-cut tree, the various types of fresh-cut trees, and how to care for a fresh-cut tree. Here at Christmas Greenery, we sell freshly cut Fraser firs.
Fresh Cut Christmas Trees
The first step in picking out a fresh-cut Christmas tree is to measure the height of your ceiling; as you do this, be sure to take into account any stands or props you plan to use to hold up your tree. Measuring the height of your ceiling will give you a good sense of how tall your chosen tree can be. After measuring the height of your ceiling, you can go to a retailer that sells fresh-cut Christmas trees and pick out a tree that meets your height requirements. Note that fresh-cut trees often have various widths; some prefer trees that are very slim while others prefer trees that are very wide. You can pick how slim or wide you want your tree to be. Also, when picking a tree, take health into consideration. Try to pick out a tree that has a vibrant hue and a small number of brown needles.
Once you have picked out a tree, you can check its level of freshness. If it is a Douglas or Fraser fir, remove one of its needles and try to break the needle in half. If the needle snaps when broken, then the tree is very fresh. But if it does not snap, then it is likely that the tree has been cut for a while. Another method of gauging a tree’s level of freshness is by determining how much sap it still contains; a freshly cut tree will still have a fair amount of sap. If you chose a specific type of pine or fir, you could determine the tree’s level of freshness by testing the flexibility of its branches; freshly cut trees should have branches that are flexible.
Types of Christmas Trees
There are several types of Christmas trees. Here is a list of 12 different types of Christmas trees as well as descriptions of their features:
- White Pine-has needles that are soft and long; known for having a traditional Christmas tree look
- Scotch Pine-has needles that do not fall off very easily; known for being very low-maintenance
- Colorado Blue Spruce-has a bluish color and sharp needles; known for its appealing hue
- Noble Fir-has an attractive silhouette; suitable for minimalistic decor
- White Spruce-has needles that are rigid and short; great for holding up heavy ornaments
- Douglas Fir-has a sweet aroma and soft needles; the most sought after Christmas tree
- Black Hills Spruce-is very compact; suitable for small spaces
- White Fir-has a citrusy scent and retains needles very well; known for its distinct aroma
- Balsam Fir-has a spicy, long-lasting scent; known for being the most aromatic Christmas tree
- Fraser Fir-is durable and has a pleasant scent; known for being very transportable
- Norway Spruce-has a trianglular shape; known for its unique shape
- Leyland Cypress-does not have a sharp scent or yield sap; known for being allergen-friendly
Christmas Tree Care
Christmas tree care is important because you want to maintain the health and look of your tree after it leaves the farm. Below, we have some helpful Christmas tree care tips:
Tip #1: To promote water absorption, be sure to trim the trunk of your tree. Trimming about 1-2 inches off a tree’s trunk removes dried-over resin-a substance that hinders the absorption of water.
Tip #2: To prevent your tree from desiccating, always make sure that it is submerged in enough water. There should be one quart of water for every inch of the tree trunk’s diameter. Be sure to check, on a daily basis, that the trunk’s cut end is submerged in water. If there is little to no water for several hours, then dried-over resin may form over the cut end of the trunk, impeding the tree’s ability to take in water.
Tip #3: Another way to prevent your tree from drying out is to keep it away from sources of heat such as a radiator or a fireplace. It may help to use a humidifier to keep the air around the tree moist so that the tree does not dry out very easily.
Tip #4: Make sure that whatever stand you use to keep your tree upright is sturdy and strong and fits the size of your tree. If the stand is equipped with bolts, be sure to tighten them. A stand that is too loose, too weak, or too big, could cause problems; water could leak out of it or the tree it is supposed to hold may fall and become damaged.
Tip #5: There are many additives people often recommend adding to the water used to hydrate a Christmas tree. Many are proponents of using additives like sugar, corn syrup, and aspirin. Nonetheless, experts have asserted that clean water is all that is needed. So, be sure to refrain from using home-made or commercial additives; such additives could potentially accelerate needle loss and slow down moisture retention.
Tip #5: When decorating your tree, use UL approved Christmas tree lights to prevent accidental fires. Also, try to use ornaments that are durable since fragile ornaments can break, causing damage to your tree.
Tip #6: If you have pets, try your best to keep them away from your Christmas tree. Pets, using their teeth or claws, can harm a tree or knock it down.