Keep That Needley Thing From Wilting: Part 1

This past weekend I spent the weekend trek through the woods somewhere in Central, PA. Do not ask me where...I was not driving. I was asked to tag a long with friends of mine of there trip to nowhere. I love the outdoors as much as the next person. I mean look at me I run a nature preserve but there's something about trekking out into a farm of nothing but Christmas trees that rubs me the wrong way, but to each their own.


I decided to focus this week on proper Christmas tree selection and care because oddly enough, I know very few people who actually know what to do beyond the "chop" and "put up." There's a little more to it, especially if you're like me and want that thing up till Epiphany (the day after the 12 days of Christmas). 

First, the tree you select should look healthy and should put up some kind of a fight when you go to chop it down. No...I do not mean it'll punch you back but the branches should be springy, pointed ideally upwards (depending on the type) and seem green, no brown needles. One simple test is by check a inside branch near the top. Is the branch flimsy and spring, noting dampness or brittle and weak, showing dryness and an unhealthy tree. Do the needle test next. Shake some of the branches. Do the needles fall off? Are there lot's of needles on the ground? Take the time and check. You'd hate to come home and find a naked tree is a few days. If you are at a Christmas tree lot, run the same tests. Good lot's will allow you to do this and in fact, many lot's today temporarily "plant" their trees in the ground to protect them from damage.

You found your dream tree. It has the right height, fullness, and no gaps. First, if you a chopping the tree down, leave at least a few inches extra on the tree. You will need to trim the tree trunk again later (like flowers you get from the grocery store). Cut at an angle, never horizontally. You can severely damage the absorption systems in the tree if you preforming a strait cut. 


I strongly recommend netting or twist tying your tree. It's keep it's branches safer on your trip home. Some people hesitate doing this for fear that they will permanently damage the tree. 

There's more to do once the tree get home to prep and get it ready for indoors but we'll discuss that next time. Hopefully, this has been helpful. Please send us your photos or tip via our facebook page or on twitter.

Betsy