Maybe you’re searching for the nostalgic fragrance that only a fresh cut Christmas tree can provide, perhaps you’re looking for a tree that can handle heavy ornaments or maybe you need advice on what kind of tree will last throughout the holiday season. Today, I collaborate with my husband, Ross who is a tree farmer of 28 years, to bring you tips and suggestions on how to pick the perfect Christmas tree.
Honey, before we get started, could you share a bit about your work as a tree farmer? I think many don’t understand what a tree farmer is or does.
At Merwine Farms, we are a wholesale grower of various evergreens, arborvitaes and Christmas trees in Northeast Pennsylvania. We plant our trees as seedlings, give them nutrients and water, and ensure that they have proper weed and pest control. They are also sheared once a year, after the new growth has hardened off. This helps to maintain the proper shape and encourages growth. Trees are ready to be harvested and dug or cut for families to enjoy in about eight years.
Additionally, in recent years, your Christmas trees have been distributed all over the East Coast. Itβs been a humbling experience to see your trees become part of so many families’ holiday traditions.
Yes, it has. We have had Christmas Trees taller than 25 feet go to various Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies in towns both big and small. It is an exciting time of year to see communities come together, to celebrate this joyous season with what we have worked so hard to grow, a beautiful tree.
Alright, so let’s get to it.
where to find a fresh Christmas tree
I think we can both agree that readers should always look for a Christmas Tree Farm in their area, where pre-cut or cut your own are sold, but where else can families go?
Tree lots, farmer’s markets, garden centers and roadside stands are good options, if they’re not interested in a tree farm experience.
how to pick the perfect Christmas tree
size and shape
Over the years, we’ve definitely had some size mishaps. We often chuckle at the photos from the year when our family tree completely took over the corner of our living room.
Yea, that one was really big. One thing to remember is, the tree always looks smaller in the field.
When determining the size and shape, it is important to measure the space, both height and width. Keep in mind that the top of the tree, the single leader, is the most important part of the tree because that’s where the topper goes. So, you have to factor the top of the tree into the height. Take your measurements and a measuring tape with you. This will help you pick the right size.
What advice can you share for choosing the perfect tree shape?
You want to look for the triangular shape but that it is sheared loosely, so that it looks natural. There are some tree farms that use hedge trimmers to trim the trees into a perfect triangle. There is nothing wrong with that, if that is what your preference is but at Merwine Farms we really believe in the natural look, which is only achieved shearing by hand.
It’s also important to remember that your tree will have its imperfections. These little quirks are part of its natural charm and add to the uniqueness of each tree.
Right. There will be a nice side and a side that will most likely have a hole or two. You’ll want to take a good look at the tree in field and tag the nice side. Or, if you are purchasing pre-cut, spin it once it’s set up to determine what side is the best, so everyone has a view of the perfect side.
needle retension
One year, we had a tree that shed its needles so badly it felt like we had a mountain of tree needles.
Yea. That was a Concolor Fir, they are a beautiful tree. Their needles are long and spaced in rows versus clusters, but a Concolor Fir just doesn’t retain the needles as long as our home desires to display a cut tree.
Probably not the best choice for a tree that will be on display indoors for a few weeks. Those needles can make quite a mess!
That’s why customers tend to stick with Fraser Fir. They are the best at needle retention and have short needles that are tightly packed together, resembling clusters. Korean Fir is my second favorite for the same reason. When properly taken care of, both of these can last up to five weeks.
Fragrance
I know your favorite thing about a Christmas tree is the scent.
Yes, it is because a fresh Christmas tree makes the whole house smell really good.
What would you recommend as the best-smelling trees?
I personally love the smell of a Concolor Fir. It has hints of citrus and, of course, the Fraser Fir, which has hints of pine.
Branch Strength
From a decorator’s perspective, this is an essential characteristic to consider.
Yes, that’s why Fraser Fir is the top recommendation for branch strength, especially if you have heavy ornaments. If you have lightweight ornaments, a Douglas Fir would be a good option.
What should families check for when testing the strength of a branch?
If you are looking at anything other than a Fraser Fir, I would recommend pulling gently and slowly on the outer part of the branch to mimic your heaviest ornament. There will obviously be some give but if a branch is bending into the next layer, it’s probably not a good choice for heavy ornaments.
color
Christmas trees come in a variety of colors.
Right. Of course, this is all personal preference, but a Fraser Fir has green needles with a silver-blue underside. A Douglas Fir has dark green needles, with a slight hint of blue underneath. A Concolor Fir has really nice powdery blue needles. It’s something unique.
setting up your Christmas tree
Now for the fun part! Letβs go step-by-step on how to set up a Christmas tree.
Well, first I recommend purchasing a tree stand with a pin. It is called a Pin Style Christmas Tree Stand. It is, in my opinion, the easiest way to set up a tree.
Next, pick out your tree. Once you have picked out your tree, the tree farm, tree lot or roadside stand will bale it up for easy transport and set up. And, if you have purchased a pin stand, you will want to ask for them to drill a hole into the bottom of the trunk.
When you get home, set up the tree stand, where you’ll be displaying your tree. The stands are fairly easy to assemble, in just a few minutes.
Place your tree in the stand. If you have purchased a pin stand, you will simply slip the tree base onto the pin. If you have an anchor tree stand, you will need an extra set of hands to help center and straighten the tree before screwing the anchors to the trunk. Once placed, cut the baling twine. This is when you can spin the tree around to find the best side.
Lastly, fill the tree stand reservoir with water, to the top. It’ll use quite a bit of water the first couple of days.
how to care for a fresh Christmas tree
Fresh Christmas trees are relatively easy to care for. What tips can you offer for keeping them beautiful?
Trees acclimate to the indoors fairly well. The most important tip is, check the water level daily. The tree stand reservoir should always be at least halfway full. Never let it the water level get below the cut line because the cut can harden over, like a scab and the tree will no longer be able to drink up the water.
You will also want to make sure it is not displayed near heaters or fireplaces. Hot, dry areas within the home draw moisture away from the tree. In order to get the most out of your tree, opt for an area of the home with lower temperatures, that retain more humidity.
the best of the best
I thought it would be fun to name the top picks for each category, so that we can help readers make the best decision for their families. What do you think?
Let’s do it and then I’d love to hear what others think and which Christmas trees they like.
Best Needle Retention: Fraser Fir
Most Fragrant: Concolor Fir
Best for Christmas Tree Ornaments: Fraser Fir for heavy ornaments, Douglas Fir for lightweight ornaments
Best Color: That’s a hard choice but for a traditional Christmas tree, it would be a Fraser Fir.
Most Natural Look: This depends on the grower and how they shear them.
Fullest Tree: As long as they are well maintained, most trees will have a full, dense look.
Allergy Friendly: Concolor Fir
Best for Small Spaces: Fraser Fir
Kid and Pet Friendly: Fraser Fir
Most Unique: Korean Fir
Best Overall: Hands down, Fraser Fir
frequently asked questions
how do you discard a christmas tree?
Many communities will offer a recycling program that will turn the tree into wood chips, but we choose to extend the life of our tree by setting it outside for the birds to find refuge. We decorate it with orange slices, and pinecones covered with peanut butter and bird seed.
But isn’t cutting down trees harmful to the environment?
Yes, if you’re cutting down more trees than you are planting. However, our passion is growing trees. We plant thousands of trees on a rotational basis, every year, more than we can cut. If you would enjoy having a fresh Christmas tree in your home but are concerned about the environmental impact, we recommend a live Christmas tree. This is when the tree is dug from a tree farm and then potted before hitting the market. At the end of the season, if you have properly cared for your tree, you can plant it in your yard.
Are there more Christmas Tree Varieties that you recommend?
This article isn’t a comprehensive list of the different species and varieties of Christmas trees because these are trees that we know and grow, the trees we have seen to become most popular and the trees that we would highly recommend. There are pine, cypress and spruce trees, too.
share your thoughts
If you buy a real Christmas tree, it would be so sweet to hear from you! Share in the comments section below, which variety of tree your family loves most, what makes it the perfect tree and memorable moments while picking out your family tree.
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