Picking the Perfect Christmas Tree

When I was a little girl we always had a real Christmas tree. We would always take a trip to the Christmas tree farm. Once we arrived, my sisters and I would dash through the snow looking at all the trees. Usually it was my dad that would find the best tree, and then he would get the saw and cut it down. After we cut the tree we always headed back to the owners house for hot chocolate and sleigh rides. We did this every year. It was our Christmas tradition.

If you decide to go to a Christmas tree farm you will get the freshest tree. Unlike people that sell Christmas trees, at the Christmas tree farm it is always fresh because you cut it. Before you just cut down any tree move the branches away from the bottom of the tree and make sure the trunk is straight. If you get a tree with a crooked trunk you will never get it straight in the base.

From spruce to fir there are many different kinds of Christmas trees that you can choose. No single kind of tree is better that the other. Just focus on the look that you want. For example, a Frasier Fir has soft needles and stiff branches. The needles don't fall off and practically last forever. The stiff branches will support heavier ornaments.


Sizing

When you visit the Christmas tree farm bring a tape measure, a saw, and a step ladder. If you don't have these things the farm may be able to supply you. Find out before you go. Also bring a sled for the tree. Fresh Christmas trees tend to have a lot of snow and ice on them which makes them extremely heavy to carry.

Before you visit the Christmas tree farm make sure you measure the size of the room where the Christmas tree will be located. Also measure the height and width of all doorways that the tree has to go through. Typically if you tie up your tree you can shrink the width about 1.5-2 feet. Just make sure you don't tie the ropes too tight, otherwise you will break the branches.