Choosing a Christmas Tree and Keeping it Green

As the holidays approach, many Americans are getting ready to decorate their houses in red and green, showing holiday cheer and providing a festive feel to themselves and their guests. As garlands, ribbons, and trinkets go up, sooner or later focus will hone in on the largest of holiday accoutrements, the evergreen, the centerpiece of American Christmas celebrations. Nobody wants a “Charlie Brown” tree that looks pitiful and undeserving of choosing, but selecting just the perfect tree for your holiday living room or den can be arduous and yes, is growing ever more expensive. Choosing your tree is only half the struggle, of course. After picking your tree and carting it home, you want it to last throughout the holiday, green as it was in its forest home, an even greater challenge itself.

Latest survey information shows that the most popular tree chosen for American homes is the balsam fir tree, also one of the least expensive at a price of $30 or less for a seven footer. But in the case of the balsam, cheapest does not mean less desirable, for the balsam possesses several characteristics making it an economical and attractive choice this holiday season. A balsam fir has the ability to keep its fresh, “green” fragrance, hold onto its needles stingily, and keep its dark-green appearance throughout your holiday.

On the other end of the spectrum, standing proud and tall, is the noble fir. Its name could be a tell-tale giveaway of what it will cost you at checkout: $100 or more for a seven-footer! The noble’s needle retention is one of the best, and its bluish-green needles are festive and thick throughout the season; a much more densely covered specimen than the more-affordable balsam. Both the balsam and noble hold onto their needles much better than the white spruce, the worst in this category. The white spruce will lose its needles soonest of all types of evergreens, though, its sharp, callous needles make it an excellent choice for cat owners. The felines will cut a wide swath to avoid the spruce’s sharp points.

No matter which type of tree you choose, before gathering it up and tying it to the roof of the “family truckster”, you need to feel its needles, making sure they’re soft, never brittle, and do not drop off at your touch. When you get your tree of choice home, make sure to cut the trunk off a few inches more than the cut made at the tree lot, exposing a fresh spot for the water to absorb, ensuring less needle loss and continued health. What most tree owners are not aware of is the trees extreme need for fresh water, nearly two gallons a day, in order to stay its healthiest. Your tree has been conditioned to the outdoor elements and the climate-controlled warmth of your living room can provide a shock to your tree’s system if not given adequate hydration, not from your garden hose reel, of course, but from a gallon jug or the like, emptied into its water tray each and every day. Ensuring your tree has ample fresh water will allow you and your holiday guests to enjoy your evergreen, its green needles, and fresh smell well into next year!

About the author: Jon Bassfarm is an Internet content writer who enjoys researching and writing about many subjects including garden hose reel and landscaping.