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Picking The Perfect Live Christmas Tree

Picking The Perfect Live Christmas Tree

Selecting the Perfect Live Tree - Here's How:

Check the Trunk

The tree trunk should have a slight stickiness to it. Bend a needle in half with your fingers; fresh firs should snap, while fresh pines bend and should not break.

Check the Needles

Make Sure the Needles Are Secure: To find the best Christmas tree that will last the longest, gently grab the inside of a branch and pull your hand toward you. The needles should stay on the tree. Alternatively, gently tap the cut end of a tree on the ground; if a few needles fall off, it should be fine. If its a waterfall of needles falling off, keep searching for a different tree.

Selecting the perfect Christmas tree

Check The Color

Look for Even Coloration - but not painted. Some types of Christmas trees will go from deep, rich green to a dull gray-green if they get too dried out. Err on the side of caution and stick with a "greener is better" mindset. If you see the trunk has green on it - often that means trees were sprayed with green paint. Keep looking if that is the case.

Once Home With Your Amazing Tree

  1. Freshen the Trunk Once you get the Christmas tree home, take proper care of the trunk. Cut off about a half inch from the bottom of the tree's trunk (or ask the Christmas tree lot to do this for you). The fresh cut will absorb more water, so your tree holds its needles and keeps its color longer.
  2. Put the tree in water as quickly as you can after making the cut.
  3. Keep Your Tree Cool by keeping it away from heat sources—including fireplaces and heating vents—will cause your tree to dry out faster. Place your tree in a cool and dry spot.
  4. Maintain Your Tree's Moisture. To keep your Christmas tree looking perfect, keep the water in your tree stand filled all the time. You may need to add water two or even three times the first few days.

Before you Head Out to Get Your Tree

Measure, Measure, Measure (but make it as big as possible, oh that is my personal preference). There's nothing worse than picking out the best Christmas tree on the lot, getting it home, and finding out it's too tall for your room. Before you leave home, measure both your ceiling height and the height of your Christmas tree stand so you don't have to recut the tree when you get home.

Thanks to Better Homes and Garden for lots of these tips. Now you are ready to decorate: Check out all our great trimmings for the tree and the whole house.

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