Choosing the family Christmas tree can be a season highlight or headache. Before you go looking for this year’s Christmas tree, here are some tips to help you zero in on the perfect tree for you and your home.
- Know how tall your ceiling is before you set off shopping.
- Determine where the tree will be displayed. If it will be on view from all sides, you’ll want a symmetrical trees. If it’s going up against a wall, you can get by with a less than perfect side on your tree.
- Don’t be embarrassed to take a tape measure or a pole with you as a gauge. It’s much more embarrassing to have a lopped off Christmas tree.
- If you are going to be walking through a tree farm to cut your own, bring some pieces of bright ribbon or string to mark possible choices as you look around.
- Look for a tree with a straight base, about 6-8 inches long so you can make a fresh cut and still have room to fit it into your stand.
- The most important thing you can do is keep the tree watered. Cool temperatures will also help cut back on needle loss.
- Try to keep it away from direct sunlight, winds and sources of heat like heaters, stoves or appliances.
- If your tree has been sitting for more than a day, make a fresh cut at the bottom at least 1 inch above the original cut. Then fill the reservoir with lukewarm water.
- Your tree begins losing water as soon as it is cut. In a heated room, a tree can absorb up to a quart of water a day, so check and fill the reservoir often.
- While any tree will burn if it comes in direct contact with flames, Christmas trees become a fire hazard when their moisture content falls below 50 percent, able to ignite from contact with hot lights.
- To prevent staining, don’t allow fallen needles, pitch or water from the reservoir to remain on carpets or upholstery.
- Don’t forget to recycle your cut tree. You could have it collected and hopefully turned into mulch.
SOURCE:http://www.gardenoholic.com/12-smart-tips-caring-live-christmas-tree/