Finding a Christmas tree is one of the most exciting parts of the holidays. Baking cookies, drinking eggnog (for some of us), singing carols, and watching holiday movies with big 'ol cups of cocoa might all feel festive, but nothing is as festive as putting up that tree with all the lights and trimmings. A tree perfectly lit up with all of its shimmering, sparkling beauty, complete with all the ornaments, new and old, that hold such special places in a person's heart, is one of the things that many people look forward to every year.
Some opt for artificial trees and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Whether it's for personal or space reasons, artificial trees can be just as stunning as a real tree, especially with the care and time that's put into making them nowadays. However, for those who go real tree or bust, this is a very special time - because picking out a tree and bringing it home is half the fun of having one. This year, many people are seeking joy in ways they haven't before and if you've decided to make the switch to a real tree but have no idea where to start, then you're in the right place. If you've done real trees your entire adult life and might be seeking some tips that you didn't have prior to this, well, then, you're also in the right place!
Measure Before You Start
Before even heading out to find a tree, it's important to map out the space where the tree is going, so to speak. Knowing how much room there is to play with will prevent a lot of stress later on when those larger-than-life trees are calling and you need to be reminded that a circumference of four feet is all that will fit, rather than a circumference of six feet with a ten-foot-tall tree.
Even measuring the ceilings will help, since this will keep everyone in your tree-searching party in line when it comes to avoiding taking home a tree and ending up in a National Lampoon-type of situation.
Decide Between Cutting Down Your Own Or Buying From The Lot
There are pros and cons to both of these things. Purchasing a tree that has already been cut can take much of the stress out of having to cut down your own tree. This is also a great way to take home a tree that's already been processed (the wood is taken off the bottom and the branches wrapped). This is also a good way to see how tall the tree will actually be (add at least three inches to account for the tree stand). We'll get to how you determine a tree's freshness factor in a minute.
In terms of cutting down a tree, there are two choices: A tree farm, and the woods. A tree farm is wholly easier than trekking into the woods to find a tree, not to mention, legal. There are ways to cut down trees from local parks but this is something to do research on, as protected land does exist and the last thing anyone wants is to cut down a tree from a protected location. A tree farm is more fun anyway since you're also helping out small businesses and are guaranteed trees that have been grown and cared for, for this specific purpose. Many times, farm stores will also carry things like real evergreen wreaths, holiday decorations, and seasonal foods, making the trip more than worth it. When visiting a tree farm, you can usually either rent a handsaw for a small fee or for free (each farm differs) or, you can bring your own. Sleds are usually available as a complementary way to bring the tree back to the car, hassle-free.
How To Prepare For Tree Cutting And The Freshness Test
Cutting down a tree isn't usually a quick trip. If the tree farm covers multiple acres, there might be a shuttle (AKA hayride) involved which will drop tree-cutters off at certain points along the way, or it could just mean plenty of walking. Warm, but comfortable, shoes should be worn for this. Additionally, working gloves aren't a bad idea, since it's easy for fingers to get ice-cold while working hand saw to cut down a tree. Also, this will protect against any sap or needle pokes during the process. Above all, dress warm: Gloves, hat, winter coat, the works. Also, be extra careful when using a handsaw, and always check how close people are around you.
In order to determine a tree's freshness, it's pretty simple: When running your hand down one of the tree's branches, needles shouldn't pop off easily. If they do, that means the tree is getting dried out and has brittle needles. Many people will say to bang the tree on the ground to see how easily the needles will fall off, but this isn't always an accurate method - needles are bound to fall off when doing this as it's a rough motion for a tree, and any needles that had fallen off prior might be stuck in between branches, meaning it could make a tree appear to be less fresh than it actually is. One simple hand movement is all it takes to determine how much life a tree has left. Be wary of trees with any brown spots, as this could mean dry patches throughout the tree itself or a sign that it's unhealthy - the earlier you cut down a tree, the healthier it should be prior to cutting it down.