Tips for Picking the Best Holiday Tree

Friday, December 03, 2010

John Campanini, Special To GoLocalProv.com

For many Rhode Islanders, the Christmas tree is their home’s centerpiece during the holidays. Finding and decorating the tree with your family creates fond memories, and to make sure you buy the right one, we’ve provided helpful hints on selecting and caring for a tree:

Tree Types

The Balsam fir—the most popular Christmas tree in New England—is found throughout the Canadian Maritimes and remote parts of northern New England. It has soft, dark green foliage, flattened needles three-quarters of an inch long, and a distinctive "balsam" aroma. It also has sturdy branching and excellent needle retention.The Fraser fir, also called the “Southern Balsam,” is easy to spot. It has soft emerald-green needles about an inch long with silvery undersides. This tree also has a bottlebrush-like texture, sturdy branching, and outstanding needle retention, making for a remarkable Christmas tree. The Douglas fir is a widely used as a Christmas tree throughout the Northeast, as is the White Pine, a graceful-looking evergreen with great fragrance and excellent needle retention. Other good Christmas tree choices are the Colorado Blue spruce, Norway spruce, Scotch pine, and White spruce.

What to Pay

Tree costs depend on several factors—the most important of which is growing time. It takes farmers anywhere from 7 to 10 years to grow a tree. During that time they invest their time and money caring for the trees, which includes using pesticides and other chemicals to protect the trees from diseases. Obviously, the cost of diligent tree care is passed on to the consumer. Last year, Christmas tree prices in Rhode Island hovered around an average of $35-$40 and are expected to be about the same this year. Sometimes, you can find good deals the closer you get to Christmas, since sellers don’t want to get caught with leftover trees when the season ends, but be careful; you don’t want to select one that’s been languishing on the lot for too long.

What to Look For

Look for a tree that’s robust, sturdy, and vigorous. A good way to test a tree’s health is to grasp a branch and pull it toward you. Some of the needles will drop off, which is normal, but if

it’s more than a handful, the tree may be dried up. You can also stomp the tree on the ground. If the tree sheds a lot of needles, select another tree. Also, look for a tree with a nice, conical shape, and make sure it has no twisted or crossed-over limbs and dense foliated shoots. A strong lateral trunk is also essential. It’s the main load-bearing element that must be strong enough to support not only branches but also hanging ornaments.

Tree Care

Ask your seller to cut a good-sized chip off the tree’s base, and water your tree after taking it home. Continue to water it until you take it down. Trees start sealing themselves at the base as soon as they’re cut, protecting the “wound.” Thus, sealing prevents the tree from absorbing water. Cutting a chip from the tree’s bottom removes the problem and lets water in.

For more information on selecting a Christmas tree or where and when Christmas tree farms are open, visit Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association; for more advice on tree care, visit the Rhode Island Tree Council.

John Campanini is technical director of the Rhode Island Tree Council. Previously, he was Providence’s city forester.

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