Tree Tips
What to look for when buying a tree
Pick a Spot & Measure
Make sure it's not to close to a heat source and that you have enough space and height for "O Tannenbaum."
Check Your Stand
Is your stand in good shape? Is it big enough for your tree and will it hold enough water?
Know Your Variety
North America is home to a wide variety of Christmas trees, each offering its own unique look, scent, and needle retention. Scroll down to view a complete list of Christmas tree's we offer.
Plan in Advance
Finding "the one" is the fun part! Make sure you wear weather appropriate shoes and clothing and don't forget your camera. And most of all take your time, and plan your tree shopping excursion in advance.
Check it Twice
Gently grasp the branch to test for strength and freshness. A fresh tree should feel supple with only a few green needles coming lose when pulled.
Make a Fresh Cut
A fresh cut is a must! Ask for a fresh cut on the trunk, so the tree can drink up plenty of fresh water.
Load It on the Old Sleigh
For easy transport home, have your retailer bale your tree first, then secure it to your car's roof with the trunk facing forward.
Keep It Watered
Like you, trees need plenty of water. Check the stand once a day, and keep the water flowing.
How to care for your farm-grown Christmas Tree
Start with a Fresh Tree
The fresher the tree, the longer the tree will last. test for needle retention by grasping the branch and pulling down gently.
Get a Fresh Cut
Cut an inch or so off the base of the trunk. Most retailers provide this service for you, so don't forget to ask.
Water Immediately
Once you get your tree home, get your tree into water as soon as possible. Just use tap water - don't add sugar, aspirin, corn syrup, or bleach into your tree's water.
Find the Right Stand for Your Tree
Make sure your stand reservoir has enough capacity for your tree - at least 1 to 1.5 gallons. Scale up on size if you're unsure.
Check Your Surroundings
Find a spot that's not too close to a heat source. Check your outlets, lights, and extension cords for defects, Turn your tree lights off before bed or when not home.
Water Often, Water Daily
Check your stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.
Recycle!
Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable and 100% biodegradable. Most cities have recycling and/or curbside pick-up programs.
What you might not know about artificial trees
Where do they come from?
Most fake trees are made of metals and plastic. Most fake trees (85%) in the U.S. are imported from China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
What are fake trees made of?
Most artificial Christmas trees are made of metals and plastics. The plastic material, typically PVC, can be a potential source of hazardous lead.
Why do some artificial trees carry a warning label?
Lead can sometimes be found in artificial trees. The potential for lead poisoning is great enough that fake trees made in China are required by California Prop 65 to have a warning label.
Who decided to make a fake Christmas tree?
Actually, fake trees were invented by a company who made toilet bowl brushes, the Addis Brush Company. Regardless of how far the technology has come, it’s still interesting to know the first fake Christmas trees were really just big green toilet bowl brushes.
Are fake trees better for the environment?
Artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses a fake tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill indefinitely. That’s a pretty hefty, long-term environmental burden. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in most artificial trees has been boycotted by many environmental groups. This issue is especially concerning due to China’s weak enforcement of environmental regulations. A farm-grown, real Christmas tree has the upper hand. While they’re growing, Real Christmas Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen. They are grown on farms just like any crop. Christmas tree farmers plant new seedlings every spring to replace those harvested. There are about 350 million conifer trees growing on Christmas tree farms in the U.S. alone. These trees would not exist if not planted by Christmas tree farmers. Christmas Trees farms stabilize the soil, protect water supplies and support complex eco-systems. And of course, farm-grown Christmas trees can be recycled, whereas fake trees cannot.
Environmental Benefits
Real Christmas Trees: The Best Choice
Each holiday season, shoppers find themselves confronted with a choice: celebrate with a fresh, real tree, or one that is artificial plastic or aluminum. What most people don’t realize is that the best choice has always been the traditional and natural choice — a Real Christmas Tree.
Real Christmas Trees Benefit the Environment
While they’re growing, Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. The farms that grow Christmas Trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn’t support other crops.
Real Christmas Trees Are Renewable
Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms just like any other agricultural crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas Tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.
Real Christmas Trees Are Recyclable
Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Learn about the many ways that Real Christmas Trees are being recycled and reused in communities nationwide.
Real Christmas Trees Help Preserve Green Spaces
Real Christmas Trees are often grown on soil that does not support other crops.
When to take your tree down
Popular Dates for Taking Down Christmas Trees
While there’s no set time to take down a Christmas tree, people tend to follow several popular dates. Many families take down their trees between December 26 and January 6 when people celebrate Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, as it marks the end of the Christmas season, some individuals take down the tree on New Year’s Day to begin the new year fresh.
Day after Christmas
Some people prefer to clean up right after the holiday and put away their Christmas tree and decorations on December 26.
New Year’s Day
For some, wishing someone a Happy New Year goes hand-in-hand with taking down holiday decorations.
Twelfth Night
There are also several take-down-the-Christmas-tree dates based on religious guidance. The first one on the calendar is Twelfth Night, which takes place on January 5, or 12 days after Christmas.
Epiphany Sunday
Traditionally January 6: From the Catholic perspective, after four weeks of waiting during the season of Advent, Christmas is more than one day. Christmas is a full season, from Christmas Day until the celebration of the Epiphany.”
Candlemas
Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2 to take down their tree. That’s 40 days after Christmas.
Ash Wednesday
Some Protestant churches keep decorations up until Ash Wednesday, typically in mid-February.
Factors to Consider for Taking Down the Christmas Tree Besides specific dates and religious holidays, several other factors may influence when someone decides to take down their Christmas tree decorations.
Personal schedule
For some, it’s simply a time management issue. Some people have a busy schedule and must take their tree down sooner than later to get back to regular business. Others wait until after January 1. Certainly, the end of January is a loose deadline, and anything after that pushes the holiday tree takedown limit. Some people keep their tree up longer if they have guests visit from out of town or host a party soon after the holiday to maintain the cheerful ambiance.
How long the tree lasts
When the tree starts to dry out and the needles drop on the floor, it’s time to take it down, removing the tree before it becomes too dry. Keep in mind most Christmas trees last for about a month indoors before the holiday and two weeks after, but the exact time depends on several critical factors.
Recycling programs
If you’re participating in a local real Christmas tree recycling program after the holiday, you’ll need to take it down before the drop off period ends. Many tree recycling programs typically last into January, but check with your local government to find out the dates.
Living tree
If you’re using a live tree with roots attached so it can be replanted outside aka a living Christmas tree there’s a limit to how long it can stay indoors. keep it inside your house no more than two weeks.
How Long Is It OK To Leave the Christmas Tree Up?
If you’re still wondering when you should take your Christmas tree down, it’s really up to you and your family. No matter what you decide, stay safe and enjoy the holiday season!
Balsam Fir
These needles are ¾ to 1½ in. in length and last a very long time. This tree has a dark-green appearance and retains its pleasing fragrance throughout the Christmas season.
Concolor Fir
These small, narrow needles are around 1 to 1½ in. in length and occur in rows. They have good foliage color, good needle retention, and a pleasing shape and aroma.
Fraser Fir
The Fraser fir branches turn slightly upward. They have good form and needle-retention. They are dark blue-green in color. They have a pleasant scent, and excellent shipping characteristics as well.
White Spruce
The White spruce is a tall, conical evergreen tree native to North America, known for its hardiness and adaptability. It's a popular choice for landscapes and windbreaks due to its dense foliage and ability to withstand various conditions, including cold, wind, and some shade.
Scotch Pine
Approximately 1 in. in length, these needles don’t even fall when they’re dry, providing excellent needle retention. The color is a bright green. A common Christmas tree in the U.S., the scotch pine has an excellent survival rate, is easy to replant, has great keepability and will remain fresh throughout the holiday season.
White Pine
The largest pine in the U.S., the white pine has soft, flexible needles and is bluish-green in color. Needles are 2½ – 5 inches long. White pines have good needle retention, but have little aroma. They aren’t recommended for heavy ornaments.