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I love the scent of a tree in my living room far too much to go faux. But hubby does have a point about the wobbly ornaments and pesky needles. So I called Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association, who gave me his expert advice for picking out the best Christmas tree.
1. Measure your space.
The first thing Rick told me was to measure my space. Sounds like a “duh,” except one year, we actually brought home a tree that was at least 6 inches too tall -- and that was without the angel topper. So figure out the max height for your tree, factoring in your topper and a little breathing room.
2. Choose the right type for your lifestyle.
Once you get to the store or farm, chances are there will be at least three or four types of trees to choose from. We usually buy a Frazer Fir because its branches support the weight of my heavier ornaments. Rick says that a Balsam Fir is similar though I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. (Another interesting tidbit from him: It’s impossible to determine the most popular kind of Christmas tree because the options vary so much by region.) A Blue Spruce, he says, also has hearty braches but the needles are very prickly. So if you have a young child who wants to help you decorate, this probably isn’t the variety for you. A Douglas Fir has a looser look -- and will be fine as long you decorate with ornaments that are on the lighter side. The most willowy tree: white pine. You’ll need to stick with lights and candy canes for this one. If you’re unsure, bring an ornament with you and test it on the tree to see how it holds up.
3. Make sure it’s fresh.
Once you’ve narrowed down the variety of tree, check the freshness of the ones that are your desired height. To do that, Rick says to run a branch through your enclosed hand. If the needles come off easily, move on. Found one you like? Ask for a fresh cut. “You’ll need it for the tree to be able to absorb all the water it requires,” he says. “Then make sure to get it in the tree stand within three to six hours.”
To prevent the tree from becoming brittle and shedding all those needles, I asked Rick whether it’s smart to add anything besides water to the stand. (My hubby usually buys a solution at the store, and my father has long put an aspirin in the water). Surprisingly, he told me not to bother -- and putting anything that contains sugar in the water can make it stink. He also recommended that I top off the water daily, even if it looks like the tree didn’t drink much. “The amount of water that a tree takes up can vary a lot from day to day,” he points out. “In fact, for the first few days, you might want to top off the water two or three times.”
And when the holidays are over, Rick says many communities offer tree recycling. Check with your local public works department for details. “I print out the drop-off location and put the paper under the tree stand,” he says. So when the time comes, you won’t have to think too much about what to do. Now that sounds a plan!
By Karen Cicero for Healthy Moms Blog Magazine
Karen Cicero is a freelance food and travel writer. Her work has appeared in Health, Parents, Shape, Fitness and more.
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