Bringing a live Christmas tree into the home offers an experience that engages multiple senses and deepens a holiday tradition. The distinct, resinous fragrance of fresh evergreen needles immediately transforms the atmosphere of a room, creating a powerful seasonal connection. Searching for the perfect specimen, whether on a frosty farm or a local lot, is a tangible part of the annual ritual. This pursuit culminates in a natural and vibrant centerpiece for holiday decor.
Primary Purchase Locations
The search for a live tree begins at one of three primary locations, each offering a distinct buying experience. The highest level of freshness and the most hands-on experience is found at a choose-and-cut farm, where trees are harvested moments after selection. These farms often turn the purchase into a family event, providing the satisfaction of cutting the tree yourself or having a staff member do it on-site.
Independent retail lots, often found in temporary setups in parking lots, offer a convenient middle ground with a good selection of pre-cut trees. These lots are usually restocked frequently from regional farms, maintaining a high degree of freshness and variety. The staff often possess specialized knowledge about species characteristics and care, offering personalized guidance during the selection process.
Trees are also widely available at big box stores and garden centers, which provide the greatest accessibility and often the most competitive pricing. While convenient, the trees sold here may have been cut earlier and traveled longer distances, so freshness can be less consistent. Buyers should be diligent in their inspection to ensure the tree has been properly stored and has not begun to dry out.
Selecting a Healthy Cut Tree
Evaluating the health of a cut tree is accomplished through a few simple, hands-on tests. A primary check is the needle retention test: gently grasp a branch and run your hand along it. Healthy, fresh trees should lose only a few inner, brown needles, not a significant number of green ones. Another reliable indicator is the “shake test,” where lifting the tree and dropping it on its stump should result in minimal needle drop.
The pliability of the branches and needles is also a measure of hydration and freshness. Needles that bend easily rather than snapping indicate a high moisture content, while brittle needles are a sign of dehydration. The tree’s color should be a vibrant, rich green without excessive browning on the tips. Finally, confirm the trunk base is moist and sticky with sap, suggesting a recent cut and proper storage.
Species choice significantly impacts the tree’s longevity and scent profile. The Fraser Fir is valued for its excellent needle retention and pleasant, mild scent, making it a reliable choice for long display periods. Douglas-Firs offer a strong, sweet fragrance when their needles are crushed, but their needle retention is moderate compared to fir varieties. Scotch Pines are renowned for their ability to hold needles even when moderately dry, though they offer a less intense aroma than the firs.
Understanding Balled and Burlapped Trees
A balled and burlapped (B&B) tree is intended for eventual replanting rather than being a temporary cut display. These specimens are sold with their root systems intact within a soil ball, wrapped in burlap and twine. Consumers choose this type to enjoy a living tree indoors before transplanting it into the landscape after the holidays.
The handling of a B&B tree differs significantly because the tree is still in a dormant, living state. To ensure its survival for planting, the tree should not be kept indoors for longer than seven to ten days. Exposing the tree to warm, dry indoor air can break its dormancy too early, causing a fatal shock when returned to cold outdoor temperatures. The root ball must be kept consistently moist while inside, often by placing the tree in a large tub, but it should never be left sitting in standing water.
Immediate Post-Purchase Handling
Once a cut tree has been purchased, certain immediate steps are necessary to ensure it remains hydrated and fresh. Safe transport home is the first step, ideally with the tree secured and covered, often with netting, to prevent damage from windburn. The most important action upon arrival is making a fresh cut across the base of the trunk.
This fresh cut, removing a one-half to one-inch thick disk of wood, is vital because a layer of sap quickly seals the tree’s water-conducting cells (xylem) after the initial harvest. Making a perpendicular cut opens these cells, allowing the tree to take in water. The fresh cut surface must be immediately submerged to prevent a new seal from forming, as most species can only wait six to eight hours before water uptake is compromised.
The tree should then be placed in a stand that provides at least one quart of water capacity for every inch of the trunk’s diameter. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk to fit a stand, as the outermost wood layers are the most efficient at drawing water. If the tree will not be immediately decorated, store it upright in a cool, sheltered area, such as a garage, with the fresh cut submerged in a bucket of water.