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How to Pick Out a Real Christmas Tree

Peoria Christmas Tree Lot

 

Best Tips for Buying a Real Christmas Tree

he holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about the centerpiece of your holiday decor: the Christmas tree. A real Christmas tree can fill your home with the enchanting aroma of pine needles and create a warm, festive atmosphere. But with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect tree? This guide will help you select the ideal real Christmas tree for your home, ensuring a joyful and memorable holiday season.

Size & Shape

Before you go shopping for any Christmas tree, measure the area where you’ll display the tree. Pay special attention to the ceiling height and the available space you have to accommodate the width of the tree.

You should also think about the shape of the tree that you prefer. Some people like a full, symmetrical tree, while others prefer a more natural, irregular shape. Some trees have a cone-like shape, while others have a plump, Hershey Kiss-like shape1. The shape of the tree can also affect how many ornaments and decorations you can hang on it.

Type and Fragrance

The most popular fresh-cut Christmas trees come from the fir species. These species have flat and waxy needles that are up to 1-1/2 inches long and attached directly to branches in long, dense rows. Color varies from a silvery green to dark green, and some species have touches of reddish brown on the buds. Firs have a very noticeable fragrance that lasts all season long.

There are several varieties of fir trees to choose from, each with its own characteristics and advantages. Here are some of the best fir Christmas trees:

Noble fir: This is a premium fir tree that has a majestic and elegant look. It has long, sturdy branches that are ideal for hanging large and heavy ornaments. It has blue-green needles with a silver tint and a pleasant aroma. Noble fir is also one of the longest-lasting fir trees.

Grand fir: This is a beautiful fir tree that has a glossy and lustrous appearance. It has flat, shiny needles that are dark green on top and silver-white on the bottom. It has a rich and spicy fragrance that fills the room. Grand fir is also one of the fastest-growing fir trees.

Freshness and Care

To pick a real fir Christmas tree, you should look for the greenest tree with the fewest brown needles. You can also perform the “drop test” by bouncing the tree by holding it a few inches above the ground and dropping it. If too many needles fall off, the tree is already past its prime.

You can also test the branches by grabbing any branch on the tree between your thumb and forefinger, gently clamp down and pull towards yourself. If you end up with a handful of needles, the tree is dry. You can also crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. If the tree doesn’t smell enough, don’t buy it.

Once you bring your tree home, you should make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk, about an inch or two from the original cut. This will help the tree absorb water better and stay fresh longer. You should also place the tree in a stand that can hold at least a gallon of water and check the water level daily. A fresh-cut fir tree can drink up to a gallon of water per day.

To prolong your tree’s life and ensure safety, keep it away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and direct sunlight. These can cause the tree to dry out quickly and become a fire risk. Additionally, refrain from using candles, sparklers, or other flammable decorations on or near your tre

Christmas Tree Flocking

Phoenix Best Christmas Trees Flocking

All about Flocking

FLOCK
CHRISTMAS TREES

“Flocking” a tree involves carefully applying a mixture of cornstarch and paper pulp, along with a flame retardant, to the branches of a tree. This process results in a beautiful, snow-covered effect that is sure to evoke nostalgia and longing for a white Christmas.

During the festive season, there’s nothing quite as breathtaking and cheerful as a fully-decorated Christmas tree. People around the world decorate their trees in a myriad of ways, but one of the most popular and creative techniques is to adorn it with artificial snow or flocked fibers. Flocking refers to the process of applying tiny fibers mixed with adhesive onto a surface, often a Christmas tree, to create a realistic and beautiful snow-covered effect. This technique adds a touch of elegance, glamour, and winter wonderland magic to your tree, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and making it stand out from the rest. So, if you’re looking to spruce up your Christmas decor, you may want to consider flocking your Christmas tree to create that perfect snowy spectacle, reminiscent of a winter wonderland.
Flocking Christmas TRees

History OF Flocking

Popular Mechanics, a renowned magazine, issued a recommendation in 1929 regarding the use of certain ingredients for the purpose of decorating objects.

The recommended ingredients consisted of varnish, corn starch, and flakes of mica, a silicate mineral.

The suggested combination of these substances is believed to have created a splendid effect that resulted in a strikingly beautiful object.

Flocking, a method of adding fibers or small particles to a surface to give it texture, emerged in the late 1950s and became increasingly popular.

Simultaneously, aluminum trees and other glitzy Christmas decorations became the craze. In addition to this heightened interest in decoration, General Mills, a leading food company, introduced the Snow-Flok home kits that could be applied to the desired surface using a gun that was attached to a vacuum cleaner.

With the introduction of Snow-Flok, more people were able to indulge in the fun of decorating with flocking and contribute to the growing trend.

Flocking Tree

Christmas Tree Flocking

All about Flocking FLOCK CHRISTMAS TREES “Flocking” a tree involves carefully applying a mixture of cornstarch and paper pulp, along with a flame retardant, to

Read more >

How to Pick a Douglas Fir Christmas Tree

A Douglas Fir Christmas tree is a classic choice for your holiday decor. It has soft, fragrant needles, strong branches, and a beautiful shape

When you go shopping for a Douglas Fir Christmas tree, you should look for the following signs of quality and freshness:

  • The tree should have a healthy, green color, with few or no brown needles.
  • The tree should have a pleasant, sweet smell, and the needles should not be brittle or dry.
  • The tree should have a straight and sturdy trunk, and it should fit well in your tree stand.
  • The tree should have a well-balanced and symmetrical shape, and it should not have any gaps or holes in the foliage.
  • The tree should have strong and well-spaced branches that can support your ornaments and lights.
  • The drop test: Lift the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it. If too many needles fall off, the tree is already past its prime3.
  • The branch test: Grab any branch on the tree between your thumb and forefinger, gently clamp down and pull towards yourself. If you end up with a handful of needles, the tree is dry.
  • The needle test: Crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. If the tree doesn’t smell enough, don’t buy it
Douglas Fir

How to Care for a Douglas Fir Christmas Tree

Once you bring your Douglas Fir Christmas tree home, you should follow these steps to keep it fresh and beautiful for as long as possible:

  • Make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk, about an inch or two from the original cut. This will help the tree absorb water better and stay fresh longer.
  • Place the tree in a stand that can hold at least a gallon of water and check the water level daily. A fresh-cut Douglas Fir can drink up to a gallon of water per day.
  • Keep the tree away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, radiators, and direct sunlight, to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
  • Avoid using candles, sparklers, or any other flammable decorations on your tree.
  • Use LED lights instead of incandescent lights, as they produce less heat and are more energy-efficient.
  • Dispose of your tree properly after the holiday season. You can recycle your tree by taking it to a local collection site, or you can use it for mulch, compost, or wildlife habitat.

How to Water Christmas Tree

Keep Christmas Tree Happy

Watering
CHRISTMAS TREES

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, and nothing embodies the spirit of the season quite like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. If you have opted for a real Christmas tree this year, it is important to understand that keeping it fresh is crucial to ensuring its longevity and reducing the risk of fire hazards. In order to do this, it is important to water your tree regularly.

Setting up a Christmas tree can be a fun and festive activity, but it’s important to take the right steps to ensure the tree stays healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season.

Before setting up the tree, it’s recommended to first cut about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 centimeters) off of the bottom of the trunk.

This simple step is crucial because it helps to eliminate any sap that can clog the tree’s water-absorbing vessels.

When these vessels become clogged with sap, the tree can’t absorb water as effectively and can quickly become dry and brittle.

By removing the sap and cutting a fresh slice off the trunk, you’re creating a clear path for water uptake and enabling the tree to receive the necessary moisture it needs to thrive and stay green.

Ultimately, taking the time to trim the tree’s trunk is a small but essential step that can go a long way in keeping your Christmas tree looking healthy and beautiful all season long.

Douglas Fir
How to water Christmas Tree

Watering Christmas Tree Tips

Flocking Tree

Christmas Tree Flocking

All about Flocking FLOCK CHRISTMAS TREES “Flocking” a tree involves carefully applying a mixture of cornstarch and paper pulp, along with a flame retardant, to

Read more >

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