How To Pick The Perfect Christmas Tree For The Holiday Season

It’s December, which means it’s time to decorate for the holidays if you haven't already. While shopping and cookie baking are at the top of our to-do lists, so is picking the perfect Christmas tree. The fun and festivities of heading out to the local nursery or corner stall to buy a tree is always exciting, but picking the right Christmas tree for your unique needs can make all the difference in your holiday decorating efforts.

Don’t sweat it though – your local lawn care, pest control and tree care professionals at Spring Green are here to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect tree for you!

The Essential Christmas Tree Buying Guide

• What the perfect tree looks like – Selecting the tree to make your holiday decor shine is subjective, but be sure your favorite tree is fresh by looking for shiny and green needles – not brown or dry-looking. If you pull on a branch of a fresh tree, the needles won’t fall off.

  Evergreen trees like Fraser and Noble Fir are the most popular Christmas trees, and for good reason. They have shorter needles which makes them easy to decorate. Another key attribute of the perfect Christmas tree is some space between the branches to give room for your ornaments, garland and lights to shine through. You’ll also want your tree to have strong branches that can hold your ornaments. Spring Green tip: bring an ornament tree shopping with you to test it in key places before you buy!

• Artificial versus real Christmas trees – The decision to choose a real tree or an artificial one is based on personal preference. While there is a convenience factor to choosing an artificial tree, some can’t resist the smell of the real Christmas tree in their home throughout the holiday season.

  While artificial trees may be easier and cheaper, the real alternative brings some noteworthy benefits. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are close to 150,000 Christmas tree farms in the U.S., employing over 100,000 people in the industry. A whopping 25-30 million real trees are sold in the U.S. every year!

• Choosing the right size – Once you’ve decided on the type of tree, it’s time to talk about location and size.
• Location, location, location – Where in your house are you planning to display your beautiful Christmas tree? Both real and artificial trees can be fire hazards, so be sure to choose a place away from your home’s heat sources, like fireplaces, heaters and even sunny windows. Also, keep your tree protected by keeping it out of high-traffic areas. Finally, consider where lights will be plugged in and how cords might get in the way before choosing the perfect spot.
• Size matters – How much space (height and width) will you have to comfortably place your tree within? If you’re going with a real tree, it is a good idea to bring a tape measure with you to take the measurements of the tree you choose. Be sure to take note of the size of your tree’s trunk so you can find the appropriate tree stand.
• Real Christmas tree maintenance – Water is the key to keeping your real Christmas tree looking great through the entirety of the holiday season. Keep your fresh tree in a stand that holds a lot of water and check the levels every day. In the beginning, your tree may need to be watered more than once a day. It's also a good idea to keep the area around the tree swept free of loose needles or wood.
• After the festivities - When the holidays end and you’re ready to get rid of your tree, it’s best to look into recycling. Most cities partner with their waste management companies to offer a recycling option, and if not, you could use it for your garden by converting it to mulch. Please note that you should never burn your Christmas tree as it can create a serious fire hazard.

Picking the right Christmas tree for your needs is important, but still a fun activity to get into the holiday spirit. These Christmas tree-buying tips from Spring Green take the guesswork out of your tree-buying endeavors! If only finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list was this easy...

We may not be able to help you with gift shopping, gift wrapping or cookie baking, but if you are in need of quality, reliable lawn care, pest control or tree care, our team of dedicated experts are here to help this holiday season and all year long!