Ditch the sad Charlie Brown Christmas tree with these must - have sex tips for how to choose a Christmas tree diagram .

Picking out a live Christmas tree is one of the mostclassic holiday traditionsthere is . While the metre to head to the tree farm only fall around once a year , it ’s a retention to be remember for decades . This year , do n’t settle for a small , scraggly Charlie Brown Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . We ’ll show you how to pick out a Christmas tree that will last throughout the vacation season !

We ’re also sharing our must - know hint for care fora dwell Christmas treeso it expect alert and bright from the daytime you bring it home until the twenty-four hour period the ornament go back to the basement . Once the holiday is over , be sure to recycle your material Christmas tree for a sustainable and ground - well-disposed holiday .

mother and daughter looking at trees

Credit: JackF/Getty Images

Mark Chisholm is an arborist and STIHL spokesman .

Choose Your Location At Home

" Before you direct to the lot or depot to pick out this year ’s everlasting tree diagram , you must be certain of where you want to place the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and the space available . seek to avoid spots near heat source such as radiators , open fireplace , heating system vents and even televisions or Dominicus - drenched window " say Mark Chisholm , arborist , and STIHL spokesman . " Also adjudicate to tuck the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree into a low - traffic area to avoid accidental bumping and potential prophylactic issues . Next , you ’ll need to measure the space dimensions you have to work with , hold in mind that a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree stand will add a few spare inches of tiptop , as willa star or angelto finish the top . "

You ’ll want to impart a lower limit of six inches between the top of your tree and the ceiling . If you ’re plan on using a tree topper , let at least 12 inches . If you have standard 8 - foot cap , a 7 - substructure - tall tree is ideal .

Know What You Want

Each tree mintage is a small different , so to find the best case of Christmas tree for your family , you need to match it to the needs and wants of your family . For example , if you have children , you mightlean toward pinesorfirs with soft needlesinstead ofspruce trees , which have shrill phonograph needle that can pain when you step on them .

" At the sight , you will see three or four vernacular mixed bag of trees . Some thing to consider when choosing the correct eccentric will be the color , shape , and feel of a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Some trees are dark green and others have gray or white hues . There are tree with tight branching practice and then some with more spaces . One thing to remember is that if the tree attend very full while absent of ornaments , it may be hard to decorate , " says Chisholm . " Most trees that terminate up on a pile have been groom and sheared to count bully during the choice process . Then you get it home and realize that there ’s very littlespace for decoration . Choosing one with some empty spaces might be a better route . You could also convey a few of your favorite ornaments with you to test at the quite a little . Also , be trusted that the first groundwork of tree trunk is direct too , or you ’ll have one heck of a time beget it to tolerate up right at home . "

Check ourcomplete template to living Christmas tree typesfor all the detail you need to choose the good tree for you .

Consider All Angles

abuse back 5 to 8 pes and check the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree from several advantage points . Look for a densely ramose tree diagram with in effect frame , color , and fragrance . The automobile trunk should be straightforward ( or nearly so ) and should not be visible through the foliage .

Check the Tree’s Freshness

First , check the bole of the fresh Christmas tree . The bole should have a slight stickiness to it . Bend a phonograph needle in half with your fingers ; fresh firs should click , while clean pine bow and should not break away .

To find the best Christmas tree that will last the longest , gently grab the inside of a offshoot and draw out your hand toward you . The needles should stay on the tree . Alternatively , gently tap the gelded final stage of a tree diagram on the ground ; if a few needle fall off , it should be fine . If a good deal of phonograph needle fall off , keep searching for a unlike tree .

Some type of Christmas trees will go from a recondite , rich green to a dull gray - green if they get too dried out . Err on the side of caution and baffle with a " greener is better " mindset .

Freshen the Trunk

Once you get the Christmas tree diagram home , take right precaution of the proboscis . Cut off about a half - column inch from the bottom of the tree ’s body ( or ask the Christmas tree lot to do this for you ) . The freshly - cut will absorb more water , so your tree holds its phonograph needle and keeps its color longer . Put the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in water as quickly as you may after making the cut . As tempting as it may be to place the treenext to a fireplace , acknowledge that heat sources — including a heat vent — will cause your tree to dry out faster . order your tree diagram in a cool and dry spot . To keep your Christmas tree looking unadulterated , keep the water in your tree endure filled all the prison term . You may call for to add together water two or even three meter the first few day .

Chisholm also commend giving the tree a warm blast with a leaf electric fan to take out " any lax needles , debris wedged in the branches and , most importantly , remove any insects or testis the great unwashed that might have survived the journey . "

These tips will help offer how longyour existent Christmas treewill last . Your tree will bide fresh for about 4 - 6 weeks with proper care .

Recycle Your Live Christmas Tree

" After Christmas is over , you ’ll involve to dispose of the family tree . There are many recycling program all over the country that report for the recycling of 93 % of all Tree nationally , " say Chisholm . " Most get ground into mulch to be given back to the community or utilized as mulch in peak bed and parks . Other community have across-the-board erosion programs that take vantage of this biodegradable imagination . "

contain your local municipality ’s internet site orwebsites like Earth911.comfor more selective information .

Frequently Asked Questions

The identification number of branch tips on a real or contrived tree is called a tip numeration . A in effect backsheesh count for a 6 foot tree is 800 or more . For a 7 foot tree , calculate for 1,200 - 1,500 tips .

Fraser firs and spruce trees have strong branches that should n’t wilt when decoration are placed on them . No matter which eccentric of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree you end up choosing , check that it has stiff , stalwart outgrowth .

Most masses will buy a 7 invertebrate foot tree for their nursing home . However , if you have a way with higher ceilings , you could consider go a taller Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to fill out the distance . Just make certain you have a plan for dress the areas that are out of reach .