Christmas is almost here, and it’s time to start thinking about getting a Christmas tree for your North Haven home. If you’ve decided to decorate your home with a live tree this year, you have a lot of options. How do you choose where to get a tree, what type to get, and how do you pick out a good tree? Shopping for a Christmas tree that will look great and last until the end of the year can be a big job to tackle. Keep reading for some helpful tips for picking out the perfect tree from your friends at Naturally Green Lawn Care.
Step 1: Prepare Your North Haven Home For The Tree
The first step in picking out a Christmas tree starts before you even get in your car to drive to the tree farm. You should select the room in your house and the specific spot you want the tree to go to, and then measure the space to know how big of a tree you will need. Measure both the horizontal space you will need and the vertical space, making sure to leave about six to twelve inches clearance for a tree topper and enough room so the branches of your tree won’t be overhanging any furniture or shelving. Make sure to measure how large the diameter of your tree stand is so you can pick out a tree that will fit snugly. It’s a good idea to clear a pathway from the door to this spot to avoid knocking anything over as you bring the tree inside. Other things to get ready before you leave include a bucket of lukewarm water for your tree to drink as soon as you get it back to your home and a saw to make a fresh cut.
Step 2: Pick Out A Good Christmas Tree Farm
Another important thing to do before leaving the house is select a local Christmas tree farm that stocks good-quality trees. Good indicators of quality are if the business is family-owned, uses sustainable practices, and has a good customer service reputation. Check reviews online and look out for local magazine and newspaper articles highlighting the best places to get a Christmas tree in the North Haven area.
Step 3: Choose the Best Type Of Tree For You And Your Family
Most people know that Christmas trees are evergreens, but you also have to choose between firs, spruces, cedars, and pines. Each type of tree has a different smell, needle color, and texture, so do some research before you go to find out what type of tree you want and what types are available in your area. Some trees work better for decoration, some keep their needles better than others, and some smell stronger. Other important things to consider are how sharp the needles are, especially if you have small children or pets, and how stiff the branches are depending on how many ornaments you like to put on your Christmas tree. Balsam firs are a classic option and are well-known for their strong scent, great needle retention, and soft green needles. Other good choices are Fraser firs, which have good strong branches for holding lots of ornaments, Colorado blue spruce trees for their unique silver-blue hue, and white firs for their citrus smell.
Step 4: Don’t Forget the Supplies
Gather up a few things before you head out to the tree farm. You’ll need a tape measure so that you can measure trees to find the one that will best fit the space you have picked out, and some thick gloves can help protect your hands when you’re handling your tree. You might also bring a few non-breakable ornaments to test how they will hang on a tree’s branches. Don’t forget an old blanket or towels to help protect your car from tree needles and dripping sap, and make sure you have some rope, twine, or bungee cords to secure your tree to the car while you’re driving home.
Step 5: Pick Out The Perfect Tree
Once you get to the tree farm, you might have to search through a ton of trees to find the right one for you. There are a few things you should look for in a tree to make sure it is in good condition, will look great, and will last a long time. If you are shopping at a cut tree farm, make sure you select a tree that is still fresh and green, with little to no dry or brown needles and a slightly sticky trunk. Lightly pull on a branch to make sure the needles don’t come off too easily. You can also try gently tapping the cut end of the tree on the ground to make sure only a few needles fall off. Always ask for help from the farm staff if you have questions.
Keep All Your Trees Looking Great With Tree and Shrub Care by Naturally Green Lawn Care
Christmas tree farmers know that a lot of work goes into keeping their trees healthy from their first planting until they get to your home. If you want to make sure that the trees on your North Haven property have the same amount of care, talk to the experts at Naturally Green Lawn Care. Our tree and shrub care program includes deep root injections, control measures for insects, disease, and fungus, as well as dormant oil and anti-desiccant treatments that will make sure your plants are protected from all that winter weather brings and ready to thrive in the spring.
Visit our website to view more information on our tree and shrub care program and all of our other lawn care and pest control services. Feel free to reach out via our contact form for more information, or give us a call at 202-230-9212. Don’t forget to keep reading our monthly blog for more helpful information on lawn and garden care! And find and like us on Facebook!