As it will probably be the first thing that any visitor to your home will notice, knowing how to choose the perfect Christmas tree will really help make your home feel festive. Unfortunately, choosing the right tree is never as easy as it should be.
We have all made mistakes in the past but, do you remember the one that looked beautiful and healthy when you paid for it but had turned brown three days later? What about the one that seemed to be the right size but ended up blocking out all the light from a window? Or the one that was advertised as being a premium tree, but had so few branches you couldn’t hang even half your baubles on it? Don’t worry, you are not alone.
Choosing the perfect tree is a bit like choosing a partner. It is hard to describe what it is you are looking for, but you will know once you find it! The majority of us have had Christmas tree problems at one time or another but, we are here to help. Our five-step guide will help you find a tree you can be proud of.
Step 1: Decide Where it Will Go
Step 2: What a Perfect Tree Looks Like
Step 3: Transporting it Home Safely
Step 4: Bringing it Inside and Setting it Up
Step 5: Care and Safe Disposal
So please, read on if you want to find out how to choose the perfect tree and avoid all the common mistakes.
Step 1: Decide Where it Will Go
Before you can choose the perfect Christmas tree, you first need to decide where it will go. You will then need to measure the space, including various angles here. How tall? How wide? What will be the right size and shape to fill the area available? Make sure to factor in the stand you plan to use in any calculations. You will need to write these measurements down and keep them safe. Don’t forget to take your tape measure with you as you will need it to check the trees you are considering.
Step 2: Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree
If you can, try and buy early. Not only will you get a bigger selection to choose from, but most trees are felled at the same time, so waiting will not usually result in a fresher tree. No one wants to be the person who has the buy the last tree in the store. You know the one we mean, it has only three branches and more mold than needles! Don’t buy a tree that is already in netting. You will not be able to inspect it and so have no idea of its quality. The mesh can also damage the branches if left too long.
Your ideal tree should have dark green needles, as this is a sign that it is healthy. Do not buy a tree where the needles are brown and pale. You also need to check that the needles do not easily fall from the tree. We suggest running your fingers across them and then lifting the tree slightly to tap it against the ground. Some needles will fall off, but it should not be an excessive amount. Make sure that you check for spaces between the branches. There needs to be enough space to hang your baubles from.
Step 3: Transporting it Home Safely
Congratulations on your new purchase! Now all you need to do is get it home safely. Make sure you bring a heavy pair of gloves to help protect your hands. If you are transporting your tree home on the inside of your car, then bring some old blankets or sheets to protect your interior. If it does not fit inside, then make sure you have some rope or twine to securely attach it to the roof.
No matter where it ends up, you must ensure it is secured tightly and will not move around or fall off during the drive home. The last thing anyone wants is an accident at Christmas!
Step 4: Bringing it Inside and Setting it Up
Ideally, you should bring the tree indoors and set it up as soon as you can. If this is not possible, then we recommend you keep it in a bucket of water until required. If you need to, remove any netting as soon as you can and allow the branches to rest.
Place a waterproof covering on the floor. This will not only protect your floor from any moisture, but it will make collecting the dropped needles a doddle when you come to take it down. We strongly recommend that you saw off a small portion from the bottom of the tree and trim a centimeter of bark from the new base. Both of these measures will help your tree soak up water.
Once your tree is in its stand, then trim any straggling branches. We do not doubt that you have chosen a beautiful tree, but some light pruning can usually help to improve the symmetry of it.
Step 5: Care and Safe Disposal
Now you have been out to choose the perfect Christmas tree, you’ll need to put some effort into looking after it. We must emphasize enough how important it is to keep your tree watered because a hydrated tree is a healthy tree. Make sure you check the water level every day. If your tree wants to drink, then let it drink! We also recommend that you use plant food to keep it healthy. The food will encourage the tree to keep its pores open. It needs them open so it can absorb water, and it needs water to remain healthy.
Once all the festive fun is over, you must dispose of your tree appropriately. You have several options. Firstly, you can have it collected as part of a waste disposal service. We recommend that you contact your local city hall to see what services they offer. If the tree is also recycled as part of this process, then even better. Secondly, it can be cut into smaller pieces and disposed of with your regular garden waste. Lastly, if the other options are not available to you, and only if you have a suitable place outside, then it can be burnt. This should only ever be done outdoors, and under no circumstances should you burn your tree indoors. The creosote produced during burning may catch fire inside your chimney.
A Christmas tree has a special place in the decoration of any home, as it will be the centerpiece of your festive decorations. It will be the first thing that many people notice, and the one thing they will always expect to see when walking into your home. Getting it right is essential, and we hope that our five-part guide was useful in helping you make an informed choice.