How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree

By Mary M. Alward

A live Christmas tree adds the spirit and fragrance of Christmas to your home. Though many people prefer an artificial tree, thousands still prefer a fresh tree. In order to choose a tree that is perfect for your home, follow these tips.

Placing the Tree
Decide where you'd like to place your tree. Never place it near a heat source such as a fireplace, heat vent or radiator. A fresh Christmas tree is best placed in a corner or in front of a window. This keeps it out of the high traffic area of your home and prevents it from being tipped over. A spot where traffic is light also ensures that no one trips over exposed electrical cords. Be sure to avoid placing your tree where it could bring danger to people and pets.

Measure
It might be nice to have an eight foot tree, but it certainly won't fit into a seven foot room. Before you head out to cut or buy your tree, be sure to measure. How high can a tree be to fit perfectly into your room? Remember to take into account the height of your tree topped and the Christmas tree stand. How wide can your tree be to fit safely into the space you've allotted? After measuring, write the numbers down and take them with you when you go to purchase the tree. Be sure to measure the tree stand to determine the diameter allowed for the tree trunk.

Take a tape measure with you to measure the tree before you cut or purchase it. You don't want to bring home a tree that has a trunk with a diameter of seven inches if your tree stand will only accommodate one that is four or five inches.

Tools
There are a few things you’ll need to take along on your quest for the perfect Christmas tree.

• A tape measure
• Leather gloves to protect your hands
• Twine to secure the tree to your vehicle
• A blanket to protect your vehicle
• A saw if you will be cutting your tree

Before You Leave Home

• Fill a bucket with water so your tree can begin to drink as soon as you bring it home.
• Locate your tree stand and have it ready so you can place the tree in it as soon as possible. Your tree stand should be heavy and large enough to accommodate the size of tree that you select.

Choosing the Tree
It's imperative that the tree you choose is fresh. If you're cutting your own tree, there won't be a problem. If you're purchasing a pre-cut tree, take note of the following tips.

• Tug on the needles and run your hand along the branches near the top of the tree. Needles shouldn't come off in your hand.
• Needles shouldn't be dry and brittle. A fresh tree has needles that are shiny and bright.
• Hit the base of the tree on the ground. Very few needles will fall off a fresh tree.
• Check the fragrance of the tree. A fresh tree will have lots of fragrance.
• Check for color. A fresh tree should be a good color, depending on the species you choose. Pine or green spruce should be a deep green. Blue spruce should be a bluish green. If the color of the tree is faded or if needles are brown, the tree isn't fresh and you should avoid buying it.
• Check the limbs of the tree to ensure they are strong enough to hold any heavy ornaments you might have.

Space
Choose a tree that has lots of space between the branches. This allows dangling ornaments to hang correctly.

Bringing Home the Tree
If your vehicle has lots of space, place the tree you've selected in the car or the trunk. Bringing home the tree is easier if you have a truck or a large van. If you have to place the tree on your vehicle's roof, wrap it in a blanket and secure it to the roof rack with twine. Drive at a reasonable rate of speed to ensure the tree arrives home safely.

Erecting the Tree
When you arrive home, either place the tree immediately in the tree stand or place it in a bucket of water so it can start to drink. If you don't put the tree up when you bring it home, be sure to trim one inch off the trunk before placing it in the stand. This gives a fresh cut that enables the tree to drink what it needs. When you put it into the stand, be certain it is straight before securing it. Once your tree is secure, enjoy decorating it in your favorite Christmas theme.

© Doityourself.com 2006