Summary
Pre-cut trees displayed in tree lots are the most common way to find a holiday evergreen. Buy from local growers if you can; their trees haven't been stored for long periods of time or shipped long distances. To determine freshness in a cut tree, look at its overall appearance. Christmas trees are baled to protect the branches from damage during shipping, but are usually unwrapped for display. Branch tips and the upper third of the tree will stay greener longer than the lower portion of the tree, so pay close attention to the lower two thirds. Are the needles green, plump and flexible? When a tree begins to dry out, the needles fall off more easily. A simple test is to bump the butt end of the tree once against the pavement. If lots of green needles shatter off, it's dry. If only a few green needles fall off, that's ok.
Once you've selected your green-needled pride, take it home and put it in a bucket of water until you're ready to put it in the tree stand. Cut trees use up a lot of water. In the first week inside a home, an evergreen tree can absorb as much as a quart of water per day! Saw off one inch of trunk before placing the tree in water, that will help it absorb more. Just think of a cut tree like you would a bouquet of cut flowers. Refill the water basin daily and don't allow the water to recede past the trunk cut. If that happens, the cut end will seal closed and water will no longer be picked up.See the full content of this document
Extract
Real Trees& Keeping the Christmas Tradition Alive
A decorated Christmas tree is the most beloved and well known of holiday symbols. Think back on all those warm memories centered around your childhood Christmas trees. The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has ...
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