Repair & Improve

Picking Perfect Christmas Trees

Are you pining for a live tree - and a great family experience?

by Tom Kraeutler

The festive smell of a fresh pine tree is one of the memorable elements of the holiday season.  But do you know how to pick a pine tree and keep it fresh and fragrant throughout the yuletide?  It starts with cutting a live tree at a tree farm, an experience that ensures the freshest tree possible and provides a terrific family outing that will become a treasured holiday memory.

At Minter’s Tree Farm in Inman, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, where thousands flock each holiday season, finding the right tree is a family adventure.

“It’s an old-fashioned family tradition,” said Rick Minter, who has been growing Christmas trees for 15 years on the land that has been in his family since the 1830s.  “I remember going out to the woods with my father to cut the tree each year.  I don’t remember how the tree looked once it was in the living room, but I’ll never forget that annual tradition with him.  I encourage families to take some time out of the busy holiday season to visit a choose-and-cut tree farm.  It’s an experience they’ll always treasure.”

Minter, who sells Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, Red Cedar, Carolina Sapphire and Fraser Firs, offers the following tips for picking the right tree and keeping it fresh:

• Bring a measuring tape and know how big of space you have for your tree. Minter says only two or three out of every 100 customers brings something to measure with, and reminds customers that trees look smaller in the field  and on tree lots than they do in living rooms with ceilings.
• Pick the right pine.  Different pines create different looks in your home.  A Fraser Fir creates a very traditional tree with short needles and stiff branches for lots of ornaments.  A long-needle pine offers an elegant, contemporary look with lights and garland.
• Buy the right stand. He notes that it is important to buy or own a stand that is adequate to hold up the tree and hold enough water to keep the tree healthy through the season.  New tree stand designs are easier to adjust and resist tipping over.
• Make a fresh cut. Re-cut the tree’s base before you put it in the stand to make it start drinking water.   Never, ever let the tree suck up all the water.  Minter says that once a tree goes without water, the trunk seals itself off, and there's no way to start it drinking water again short of taking the tree down and making another cut on the base.

Having a fresh tree is one of the most festive ‘home improvements’ you can make.  Picking it out at a choose-and-cut farm makes it a really special holiday experience that the entire family can enjoy.

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