Choosing the right tree for your house and the secret for keeping it fresh

TAMPA - For convenience and ease of set-up you can't beat an artificial Christmas tree. Realistic and sometimes pre-lit, they are a "plug and play" way to get a jump on your holiday decorating. But for Yule-tide purists, nothing can replace the look, the scent, the tradition of a fresh-cut tree.

Angie Hicks, founder of the consumer group Angie’s List, said real trees are still a popular choice. “In a recent Angie’s List poll," she said, "half of the respondents said they are going to get a live Christmas tree this year."

Hicks recommends, as with any purchase, you do a little research before buying a real Christmas tree. At the top of your list, take a "measured" look at the space your tree will grace. “The last thing you want to do is get a tree that’s too big for your home," Hicks said. "The most important thing is to measure your space before you head out to the tree farm and take a tape measure with you – that way you can measure the tree because guaranteed the tree is going to seem smaller at the farm than it will in your living room.”

Tips for selecting a real/live Christmas tree:

• Plan ahead: Before you hop in the car to go tree shopping, measure your ceiling height where you will put the tree, and leave room for your topper. You may not realize this, but the tree will look smaller out in the lot than it will once you bring it inside. Measure the width too - it can take a couple of days for the tree branches to drop. Don’t forget to measure your tree stand too to ensure it will accommodate the tree’s trunk.
• Know your options: Consumers have many options regarding where they can buy their Christmas tree. You can find pre-cut trees at retail stores, garden nurseries, and tree farms. Most tree farms also allow you to cut your own. When buying from a retailer, ask where the trees came from and when the most recent shipment arrived.
• Ask questions: The vendor should answer any questions you have about the tree and be able to explain care. If not, find another vendor.
• Understand pricing: The cost for a tree will often be determined by the species and/or by the foot. Ask the vendor if a price isn’t displayed.
• Determine species: Learn which species are popular in your area before heading out. If you or someone in your family has an allergy to Christmas trees, learn which type you are allergic to.
• Is it fresh? Freshness is key. Branches should be flexible and not snap when bent. Run your hand along the branches – the needles should not fall off easily. The tree should be green in color – avoid trees with a yellowish tint.

Loren Schmiere is a tree farm owner and said use all your senses when choosing your tree. It should look green, smell fresh and feel sturdy. "When you are picking one out on a lot you should be able to pull on the limbs lightly and the needles won’t come out or if you shake them on the ground lightly you shouldn’t have a lot of needles fall.”

And the secret to keeping that tree fresh until after New Year's is really no secret at all. “To maintain a Christmas tree so it lasts as long as possible," Schmiere said, "the most important thing is that it keeps water. When you cut it, it should be in water within an hour. If you don’t get it home in time, then make a fresh cut with a saw, put it in water and never let it run out.”

Tips to care for your Christmas tree:

• A fresh cut: The vendor should cut a least an inch off the bottom of the tree before you take it home. Place the tree in warm water within an hour. Allow the tree to drop overnight before decorating.
• Water, water, water: Never let the tree stand go dry. If it dries out, the cut becomes exposed to air and it will stop taking up water. Place the tree away from heat sources.
• Limited time only: Many consumers favor ball and burlap trees because they can be planted outside after the holidays. However, they can be extremely heavy – a 6 foot tree can weigh 200 pounds – and they should not stay in the house for more than a week to 10 days before they dry out. Also, don’t forget to dig a hole in your yard to plant the tree before the ground freezes.