Holiday Decorations

A Christmas tree is the most iconic of holiday decorations. The perfect Christmas tree can transform your living room into a winter wonderland. But finding the perfect Christmas tree is never easy. Here are some tips that will help you find the tree that is just right for you and your family. Once you’ve found that perfect tree make sure you keep it looking great and smelling fresh by following these easy maintenance tips. A perfect Christmas tree is the first step to a memorable and cheerful Christmas.

The Perfect Size: Trees look much smaller outdoors with the sky as the ceiling. Before you leave for a farm, measure your ceiling height accurately. Then subtract the height of your tree top ornament and the height your Tree Stand raises the tree off the floor. Now you have the height measurements you need. Next measure the width you need.

The Perfect Fit: While searching for the "perfect tree," keep in mind that Mother Nature tends to leave the North side of trees less full so that a flat side or two may be helpful fitting a tree closer to a wall or corner eliminating the need to prune at home.

The Perfect Texture: Do a freshness test. Gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its stump. You should not see an excessive amount of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of the tree.

Protect Your Tree: Let the tree remain outdoors or on a cool porch or garage, in a sheltered area, until you are ready to decorate. An area that provides protection from the wind will help the tree retain its moisture.

Make a Clean Cut: Before you set up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk (about a quarter inch up from the original cut) and place the tree in a Tree Stand that holds a gallon of water or more.

Water Your Tree: Trees are thirsty! They may drink between 2 pints to a gallon of water per day – so make sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. Remember, a constant supply of water is essential to keep the tree fresh. Water is important because it prevents the needles from drying and dropping off and the boughs from drooping. Water also keeps the tree fragrant. And now that Watering Systems are available for Christmas Trees, even someone with a busy schedule can keep their tree Watered!

Keep the Tree Stand Filled with Water: A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need to be made.

Be Smart About Your Lights: Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.