From choosing your Christmas tree to transporting it and setting it up back at home, here are some things to keep in mind:
- First, find the perfect Christmas tree for you. Everyone has their own idea of the perfect tree!
- Dress for the task at hand. Wear an extra layer of clothing and comfortable shoes.
- Trees only keep three years of needles, so if the tree you’re looking at has some brown needles on the inside, but feels fresh as you run your hand on the needles on the outside, it’s healthy. The National Christmas Tree Association also recommends bending the outer branches to make sure they’re pliable. If they snap easily, the tree’s too dry.
- Make sure you think about the height. Trees can look smaller when you’re outside. A good way to measure if it will fit in your house: stand next to it and see how much taller it is than you are. Or bring a tape measure.
- Leave your chainsaw, axes, hacksaws, and machetes at home. We cut the tree for you.
- The tree goes on your car with the trunk facing front. That helps you avoid the “Umbrella Effect.” This is also important as you carry it through your front door.
- Don’t take the netting off your tree until it is up on the stand and moved exactly where you want it.
- Get help setting your tree in the stand. Someone should hold the tree still while you tighten the screws at the base.
- Keep your tree away from any type of heat source and replenish the water in the base as needed to keep your tree fresh as long as possible.
Here are some additional tips from the National Christmas Tree Association on caring for your tree:
- Once you get home, place the tree in water as soon as possible.
- A tree stand should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. It doesn’t matter what temperature your water is. Check the water level daily to make sure it doesn’t drop below the base of the tree.
- Use a stand that fits your tree — don’t whittle the sides of the trunk to make it fit your stand.
- Finally, play it safe: Keep your tree away from major sources of heat, make sure your Christmas lights are in good working order, don’t overload electrical circuits, always turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed, and recycle the tree after Christmas or once it becomes dry.
