Tips for buying a fresh tree

Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.

Although more than 300,000 trees are being sold via Internet or mail order catalogs, traditional sites are still plentiful. In recent years, about 21 percent of Christmas trees sold were from chain stores, 15 percent by non-profit groups, 13 percent from retail lots and 35 percent from choose and cut farms. Of the approximate 23 millions trees sold, about 78 percent were sold pre-cut and about 22 percent were sold as cut-your-own. There are some 500,000 acres of Christmas trees grown in the United States.

The only way to actually know a tree is truly "fresh" is to go to a cut-your-own farm or watch it being cut down. However, trees on sales lots can be tested for freshness and also can provide a good tree throughout the holiday season. Another way to have a "real" fresh tree is to buy a living tree for use indoors during the holidays and then plant it outside afterward.

"There are many farms, nurseries and retail lots in northern Illinois with a variety of trees available," says John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Rockford. "Especially when cutting your own tree, it is a good idea to call ahead to check on tree availability, since some farms sell out of some types of stock quickly."

Ask about the variety and size of the trees available. Some specialize in large trees, unique varieties or other characteristics. Some do not have tall trees, which some homeowners want for cathedral ceiling rooms. Farms also vary as to the availability of other holiday decorations, such as boughs, wreaths, pinecones and other items. They also vary as to their hours of operation, the services they offer customers in preparing the tree for transporting and some possibly even offer delivery. Ask if they cut the tree or if you have to provide any tools or labor. Also, some have activities available to make it more than just a tree-purchasing experience. Asking questions on the phone can save some time and frustration before going on the tree-hunting trip. Many also have Web sites.

If cutting your own tree, remember to do some measuring at home first. Trees in the field look smaller than they are in reality or will appear to be in the house. Don't forget to measure for width and circumference, as well as height.

Regardless how fresh the free is when it is purchased, care needs to be taken on the trip home and once the tree is in the house to maintain that freshness. The tree should be carried inside a vehicle or wrapped or covered on the way home. Wind can rapidly desiccate the needles. Be sure to take along a tarp, old blankets or other material to cover the tree. Take plenty of rope in case the seller does not provide it.

For fresh cut trees, once in the house, maintain water levels in the stand above the bottom of the trunk to avoid it from sealing over and restricting water uptake. Also, keeping the house cool and using a humidifier will help keep the tree fresher longer. In the first week in the house, a fresh tree can take up to a quart of water a day at the minimum.

For more information, contact the local extension office or visit www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees, which has lists of tree farms and highlights types of trees, their care, other holiday plants and related topics.