How you can pick the perfect Christmas tree
Yep, it's that time again.
The turkey and pumpkin pie have been cleared, and now you're ready to whip out the holiday décor. For many people, that includes, of course, the Christmas tree.
In the midst of seasonal chaos, it may be tempting go the quicker and simpler route and adorn a fake tree. But there's something nostalgic about decorating a real evergreen. The family tradition. The authenticity. The smell. It just feels a little more like Christmas with a fresh tree in the house.
This holiday, more than 30 million American households will go authentic. Last year, 31.3 million homes had real trees, according to the National Christmas tree Association, and tree experts expect that number to climb. Meanwhile, 17.4 million homes had artificial trees.
"People want to do the right thing for the environment," said Rick Dungey, spokesman for the Missouri-based National Christmas tree Association. "They want a more traditional Christmas. They want to create real memories, and you can't get that by pulling a dusty box out of the attic."
Before your family begins decorating, our experts have provided a crash course in selecting the perfect tree this holiday.
Q. What's so great about a real tree?
A. Fake trees may be more convenient, not as messy and cheaper over time. But for millions of families, cutting down a tree from a local farm is an annual tradition (and an excursion hopefully less dramatic than the Griswolds).
Experts agree a real tree also is better for the environment. Plastic trees, most of which are made in China, contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead. But real trees are a renewable and recyclable resource.
"Their carbon footprint is much smaller," said Doris Taylor, plant information specialist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Q. OK, I'll go authentic. Now what?
A. Do your homework. Decide between buying a pre-cut tree at a retail lot or cutting your own at a tree farm. Do some research about different tree types if you want one in particular. (There are about 16 species of Christmas trees around the U.S.)
In either case, time your purchase - a fresh tree can last up to three weeks in a home environment. Know what size, both height and width, you want before heading out. Trees in open spaces always look bigger than they are. Consider that most homes have 8-foot ceilings; a tree stand and topping may add at least a foot.
"The biggest mistake people make is they get a tree too big," said Tim Norris, owner of Spring Bluff Nursery in Sugar Grove. "Most go way overboard on the height."
Q. How do I know which tree to pick?
A. Look for trees with a straight trunk and pliable, fragrant needles, Taylor said. Branches should be full and bushy. Gently pull the needles; if a lot fall off, choose another. Test for dryness by gently bending a branch; if it doesn't snap back; it's dry. Some trees at retail lots may be artificially colored, so check for a blue-green dye on your hands after rubbing the branches.
And don't panic if you're a procrastinator and find yourself with a less-than-flawless tree.
"A lot of people put the tree against a wall or a corner, so it doesn't have to be perfect all the way around," Norris said.
Q. What do I do once it's home?
A. The tree should be freshly cut before it's put up so water can easily flow to its branches. Often, the retailer does this. If they don't, you'll need to re-cut the trunk 3 to 5 inches. If the tree isn't erected right away, it should be kept bound and uncut in a shady spot outside. It may be smart to acclimate the tree to the warmer home temps by keeping it in the garage a few days, experts say.
Once it's ready to go up, pick a spot away from fireplaces, hot air vents and other heat sources, which will dry out the tree. A plastic tree bag can be set under the stand to minimize mess. Water the tree as soon as it's up, preferably with warm water, says Pete Steiner of Lurvey Landscape Supply in Des Plaines. "It's like the pores in your skin, it helps open it up," he said.
On average, the tree will suck up a gallon of water a day, Taylor said.
Q. What about once Christmas is over?
A. Unless you bought the tree with roots, you can't replant it outside. But this eco-friendly route actually is catching on more, said Renee Ross of the Illinois Christmas tree Association.
However, you can reuse your tree. Cut up individual branches and throw it on tender plants as a winter insulator. Turn parts of the tree into wreaths or other holiday greenery, adding in berries, dried grasses or cones. Use parts of the tree for shelter or protection for animals. Make sure to check with your town about recycling programs.
Suburban Christmas tree farms
Lake County
• Gengel Tree Farm
38614 N. Fairfield Road; Lake Villa, IL
(847) 356-5661
Kane County
• Spring Bluff Nursery
41W130 Norris Road; Sugar Grove, IL
(630) 466-4278
• Lee's Trees
45W002 Lees Road; Lily Lake, IL
(630) 365-2116
DuPage County
• Ide Christmas Tree Farm
1500 83rd St.; Downers Grove, IL
(630) 985-9324
For more Illinois locations, visit www.ilchristmastrees.com.
Christmas tree characteristics
Scots pine: Dark green foliage, stiff branches, excellent needle retention.
Eastern white pine: Dense, medium-green foliage, long needles, good needle retention.
Douglas-fir: Soft, flat, short green needles, good needle retention, needles emit a sweet camphor smell when crushed.
Balsam fir: Dense, dark green foliage, pretty pyramid shape with spindly top, nice Evergreen scent, good needle retention.
White fir: Soft, 2-inch-long, blue-green foliage that curves outward and upward on branches, good needle retention, needles give off strong lemon scent when crushed.
White spruce: Short, blunt, grayish, blue-green needles, nice natural cone shape, smell may be unpleasant to some; poor needle retention.
Colorado spruces: Gray-green to blue-green, 1-3 inch stiff, prickly needles, crushed needles emit resin-like scent, trees have pleasing, symmetrical form, poor needle retention.
Source: Morton Arboretum
Did you know?
• About 25 million to 30 million live Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year.
• There are more than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the United States.
• There are about 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and more than 100,000 people employed full- or part-time in the industry.
• The average growing time for a Christmas tree is seven years.
• The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
• 98 percent of real Christmas trees used each year are grown on farms as sustainable crops.
• The top selling Christmas trees are: Balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.
• The most popular trees in Illinois are Scotch pines: they're the easiest to grow and least expensive.
Source: National Christmas tree Association
Where did that tree come from?
• The first decorated Christmas tree was in 1510 in Riga, Latvia.
• In 1804, U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) brought evergreen trees into their barracks at Christmas.
• In 1851, the first retail tree lot in the United States opened in New York City.
• In 1856, Franklin Pierce, the 14th President, brought the first Christmas tree to the White House.
Source: National Christmas Tree Association