There are many kinds of Christmas trees from which to choose. If you put your tree up early and leave it up for a month or more, select a pine, since they hold their needles longest. The pines generally available locally include white pine, red pine, and Scotch pine. These long-needled pines are usually the least expensive of all the types of Christmas trees.
A step up in cost, but probably the most popular, is the balsam fir. The soft, flat needles are less than an inch long and this tree is much easier to decorate than a long-needled tree. The branches curve slightly upward with convenient gaps between the branches to hang ornaments. The balsam fir is one of the most aromatic of Christmas trees.
Similar in shape to the balsam is the Fraser fir, the most expensive Christmas tree you will find. The inch-long needles are shiny green on top and silvery underneath.
No matter which tree you choose, you’ll want to select and care for it so that it will hold its needles as long as possible. Before you buy, check a tree’s freshness by grasping a branch firmly and running your hand toward the branch tip. If many needles fall off, the tree is already dry. You can also check its freshness by setting the tree upright, holding it by the trunk about halfway up and pounding the trunk firmly on the ground a couple times. If lots of needles fall, the tree is too dry.
Trees exposed to wind during the drive home will dry out, so wrap the tree securely in a blanket or tarp to protect it.
When you get home, re-cut the trunk an inch or more up from the original cut and put it into water as soon as possible, even if you do not plan to put it in the tree stand right away. The fresh cut increases the tree’s ability to take up water. Keep the water level above the cut end of the trunk. This may mean you should check the water level twice a day at least for the first several days.
There are several home remedies as well as commercial products touted to keep your tree fresh longer. You do not need to add sugar, aspirin or any other commercially available additive to the tree water. Just keep the tree stand full of water and the tree will be fine.
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