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Your Guide to Picking the Right Christmas Tree for Your Home
The holiday season is upon us, which means the great Christmas tree hunt has begun! Our real estate agents love visiting Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect tree. Thankfully, Livingston County has no shortage of Christmas tree farms to scout. Whether it's your first time picking out a living tree or if you could use a refresher on proper tree care, here is a helpful guide to picking the right tree for your home this holiday season.
Before Your Tree Farm Visit
You could run right out and pick the first tree you see, but that decision could prove problematic if you don't plan out your purchase. Here is a quick to-do list to complete before buying the tree:
- Measure out the space in your home where you want to place the tree. To do this, you'll need to measure your home from floor to ceiling, then subtract the height of the tree stand and tree topper to identify the maximum height the tree itself can be.
- Also, measure the width of the area where you'll place your tree, as different tree girths could cause your branches to be squished into the wall.
- Make sure this space is away from heat sources and in a location that will protect the tree from toppling over.
- Determine which tree species you'll want. Different trees have different appearances, smells, and lifespans. For instance, a Douglas Fir is popular for its coloring, pyramid shape, and sweet scent, while a White Spruce has shorter needles ideal for hanging ornaments but has an unpleasant scent when crushed.
- Pack a few supplies in your car, including a tape measure, heavy gloves, a blanket, and rope. You may also need a saw if the tree farm doesn't provide one.
At the Tree Farm
Now that you're ready to visit the Christmas tree farm, keep these points of advice in mind:
- If you cannot cut your own tree, you'll need to make sure you pick the healthiest tree possible. Gently shake the branches; if many needles fall off, it might be too old. You can also crush the needles to see how much they smell; the fuller the scent, the healthier it is.
- No matter pre-cut or self-cut, you always want to measure your chosen tree inside the tree stand to get an accurate measurement for your home.
- Before you wrap the tree, have a farm attendant shake out the dead needles.
When You've Brought the Tree Home
Your Christmas tree has arrived, but there's still work to be done:
- Make a fresh cut of about one inch on the bottom of the trunk to open up the veins and cut away any sap that formed.
- Place the tree in at least one gallon of water and keep it in an unheated room for the first day or two so it can acclimate to indoor temperatures.
- Trim off dead or uneven branches.
- Water the tree every day with at least one quart of water.
- Never leave your lights on overnight, and always check to ensure that there are no issues with the cords.
- When you're ready to take the tree down after the holiday season, call to see if your town or Christmas tree farm will haul it away for free.
Looking for the perfect home around Brighton for you to display your tree? We can help. Contact us today to schedule a private showing.