Choosing the Freshest Tree
One of the most popular Christmas trees in the US is theFrazer fir,though many don't realize that is makes a lot of difference where you buy your tree as to how long that tree will last. It's logical sense that tells you that buying a tree from a tree farm is better sense than buying it from a retailer's lot. The reason is simple. Those sold on the lot may have been cut days ago, and will certainly not be as fresh as one that is cut especially for you at the time of purchase. Farm trees last longer because they stay in the ground longer.
If you do find that you are unable to buy direct from a farm, then there are choices you can make based on what you find at the retail lot. One of the reasons for the popularity of the Frazer fir is that the branches are closely knit making the greenery superb for hanging all those decorations. If you must buy one from a retail lot, look for the following signs which give away how long it is since the tree was cut. Take your hand and put it over one of the branches sliding the branch through your hand to see how easily the needles fall.
If they are already falling, then the chances are that it won't last that long once it is taken into a centrally heated house. If you have a choice where the needles appear to be solidly fixed to the branch, choose this over the ones which don't. It may sound obvious but another clue is how damp the trunk of the tree is. If it is very dried out, this is also a sign that the tree was cut a while ago. On a lot, compare the trunk bases of trees for dampness, as the newest ones will be slightly more damp, and more likely to last.
ADouglas firis another popular choice, though here the branches are more delicate. Look for the coloring of the fir, as when Douglas fir dries out the color becomes paler. The needles will also drop easily when the tree has been cut too long. With a Douglas fir, to avoid droop, only use decorations which are not too heavy, as this will add to the strain on the tree and may promote shedding of the needles, as you decorate it.
TheColorado Blue Spruceis a wonderful choice of tree, though less popular than the two trees shown above. The blue tinge to the tree and the strong branches make it unique and different. The uniform shape of the tree is noteworthy, and the compact nature of the tree makes it ideal for the home setting. However, if the trunk is too dry and the needles already shedding avoid it and buy elsewhere. To get the best from the Colorado Blue Spruce, you really do need freshly cut trees and going out of your way to a farm outlet is the only way of guaranteeing that your tree will give you good service, without drying out too much.
For those who want a larger tree, theBalsam firmay be a good choice. These are superb for outdoors or in indoor areas which have good height. For more compact trees, the other varieties are the best, though these excel in outdoor displays and are popular with stores as well as homes where outdoor trees are decorated in style. The Balsam fir is less tightly packed than the other trees mentioned here, and stands proudly though the branches should be closely knit. Avoid those with irregularities as the whole point of the tree is to provide a focal point. Lop sided trees will certainly be noticed in this particular variety. Test for needle drop before purchasing though there is no other test that will tell you how fresh the tree is.
Look at the branch formation as well because some trees are disappointing when you get them home simply because the branches are too spread apart to hang the decorations without bending the bough upon which the decorations are placed. Look for those which have sturdy branches which will take the weight, and which have greenery all the way to the top. Those with verylittle greeneryin the top area may have to be trimmed so that you can place your star on the top, but in this case, you will need a tree which has sufficient branch formation at the top to avoid that bare look. Look also for trees which have the deepest color. These will still have a lot of life in them, as fir trees fade as they get drier. The brighter the color, the more likely the tree is to last, and you may find you have to pay a little more to have a quality tree, but it's certainly worth the extra because the tree can last all through the holidays without even loosing a needle.
A healthy tree will be one which is rich in color and where the branches are not too dried out. With fir trees, you can feel moisture even when the tree is not really wet. This moisture comes from the actual branches retention of moisture and if the branches give off a completely dry feel, chances are the needles will drop too easily. You can mist the tree before decorating it to give it a better chance against the heat which you will be introducing it to, since the tree is unaccustomed to central heating and will wilt, though if you take these precautions when buying, you stand a much better chance that the tree will look good over the Christmas period.
