This is the first real Christmas for my 2 1/2 year old son and me. So, I would like to get a real Christmas tree this year, verses my fake one. So, as a "first time real tree buyer", I do have some questions:
*When should you buy it to last longest? *What type is the best for longevity? *How do you protect hardwood floors under it? *What is the best tree stand (plastic with the hole in the center or the metal ones that you screw in for the width of trunk? *How to water it and when? Do you use aspirin in water? *What to look for when picking it out at Tree Forest?
Any other advice would be great. It will be just me tying it to the top of my car and hauling it back to the house. Guess I also should know the best way to do that (string or bungie cords). I have a VW wagon with roof rails.
Thank you so much!
beachmtgal2007-11-20T05:45:27Z
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I have always had a live tree, so hopefully I can help. First, cedar or don't loose needles as badly. Measure your space first so you don't get a tree that is too big. I usually buy the weekend after Thanksgiving. It will last fine if you make sure not to let it run out of water. Get one of those cheap vinyl/felt backed table cloths and put down underneath to protect your floor. The round plastic stands with a big base give you more room for water and are more stable. You can buy a bottle of liquid to add to the water to keep it fresh. DO NOT LET THE WATER GO BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK!! When you get it home trim the bottom a half inch or so to give you a fresh trunk and put immediately in water. If you aren't going to put it up immediately, then put in a bucket of water. The first few days it will really drink a lot, so water several times a day. Then you should be ok if you check it morning and night. Just look for a tree that is pretty on all sides and doesn't have any big gaps.
You should buy it no earlier than 2 weeks ahead of time. I always buy Douglas Fir trees and they work well. You can put it ontop of a blanket or something to protect your floors. The tree holders I buy are plastic with a hole AND have the metal that you adjust to the trunk size and they work better because they keep the tree steady. Just pour water water directly into the trunk holder thing. Pour water all the way to the brim of the tree holder. When it comes to christmas trees, you can never have too much water. Look for whatever type of tree you want. If you have low ceilings, then make sure you don't get a tree that is too tall. You should really just buy the type of tree thgat you find the most visually appealing. Keep in mind that while they are at the tree forest the branches will be raised because it is fresh. After a day or so of being cut down, the branches will settle and spread out. In most places they put netting around the tree when you purchase it and they help you get it onto your car. The best way to keep it on is probably heavy duty bungee cords.
Good luck with your tree! I've always liked fresh better because of the amazing pine smell it has.
P.S. It is better to get the tree as late as you possibly can so it will stay fresh longer, but it is not neccesary to wait until the last minute. When you go to buy the tree shake the branches to see if pine needles are falling off. If they are, then the tree is not as fresh as it should be. As the tree starts to die in your home the needles will fall off. It is very easy to clean up with a broom or vacuum.
1. This depends on when you plan on taking it down. If right after Christmas then I think you can get one now. If it's a New Years tree, then wait till about 2 weeks before Christmas. 2. Douglas Firs are what I used to get when I bought real trees. 3. I would use two tree skirts, and a large garbage bag to put under the tree stand. That way if any water spilled it would be in the bag not on the floor One solid color on floor, and the more decorative one to cover the tree stand and the trunk. The bag in the middle. 4.I think the screw in are more durable and sturdy. No plastic tree--no plastic stand lol!! 5.Aspirin are not needed but sugar is. When I was little my dad said it kept the needles from falling out. Not sure if he was right, I always remember having to vaccuum up needles every year. Something about water retention of the tree. You have to keep water in it every day. Do not let it get below the bottom of the trunk, it will dry out fast and be a fire hazzard. You can use most any pitcher to fill up the stand. 6. If you grab a branch close to the trunk and pull gently towards you on the part where the needles are, letting them glide through you fingers and you get a lot of needles falling off its not a good sign. The fewer the falling off needles the better. It's best not to buy the ones wraped up in that netting stuff, you can't get a good look at how they stand or how full the tree looks. Always check how many needles fall off when you bounce the tree up and down on the ground. Also a bad sign if there's a lot. Most tree lots put the better quality trees on the edges of the lot, sorta like window dressing.
Other advice:
Ask the tree lot person to resaw the bottom of the stump off another 3-4 inches this insures the tree will absorb water after you get it home. If they don't offer this service a hand saw might be in your future.
Let your tree sit a day after you get it put up so the branches will have time to warm up and fall more naturally so you can decorate and not redecorate cause the tree settled.
When you go to put the tree on top of the vehicle, use an old blanket on the roof so the tree doesnt scratch the paint. Tree sap will eat the paint on any car, and is hard, very hard to remove.Make sure the trunk of the tree is at the rear of the car, and I think bungie cords are the best with roof rails. And there are no knots to untie later
hey! well, first of all, I would like to say good luck! having a real christmas tree seems (to me) so much better than a fake one. You should buy one about a week or 2 away from christmas, that will ensure that it will still be alive for christmas time. to protect the hardwood floor, use a blanket and put it under the tree stand. this will also keep the needles from getting all over. the best tree stand (that I found, it has always worked for me) is metal one, because the tree always seems so much more secure to water my tree, i just fill up the water in the tree stand (warm or room temperature) and put some sugar in it. all of my trees have stayed alive when i did this. just make sure that you fill it everytime it gets low so that the tree will always be drinking. to pick out a tree, you have to think about how tall your celings are. after deciding what height, pick a tree that doesnt have hardley ANY dry or dead needles on it. that means that it will last much longer. also, to get your moneys worth, I have a trick that will get you a better deal on your tree. pick a tree with a really good, full side, but one that has a really bad other side. you can get this tree for cheeper, and to hide the bad side, just face it towards the wall! nobody will ever know. =) bungee cords i found are the best. i would get some of the workers to get it ontop of the car for you, and tie it, just because you havent done this before. thats good that you have roof rails, im not sure there would be any other way you could strap it down. =D GOOD LUCK! and have a merry christmas!!
All types are great. When you took at a tree, don't get a huge one because you will regret how much room it takes. Look at 5' at most. Pulled on the needles and if they come right out do NOT buy it becuase it is dry. Trees were all cut in September and stores.
Get a good stand, not cheap, that has at least four legs than adjust as the tree is put into the holder. Those ones with the screws could fall over easily if you son pulls to hard. There is one that looks like a tube with a sealed bottom you can slip on the end of the tree, then put the tree into the holder, which has the adjusting legs. Worth the cost. Definitely do not use the wooden crossed stand some tree places give you; have them remove it.
Before you put in the tree, cut a knotch in the bottom or on two sides or cut off the end/saw to allow water to be absorbed. Make sure the holder has water daily, a must, because otherwise the knotch will close up. Plain water works the best though they make fancy additives to might help the tree stay "green." Remember you son will be attracked and might drink it so plain water is best.
To protect your car taking the tree home, put an old sheet or plastic tarp on the top of the car, then have the sellter put the tree on and tie it to the car. When you get home it is easier if you cannot independently lift it off to pull the tarp (after you cut the ties).
I strong recommend you put an old sheet down where the tree is going. Catches the dropoping needles and when you take the tree down and all the ornaments are off and removed the water (makes a mess otherwise) you can wrap the tree up and carry it outside without putting needles everywhere.
Remember the type of ornaments could be a hazard to your little one. Best to get plastic ones. DO NOT use tinsel because he will be attracted to it and eat it. All it takes is one small piece for a little kid or animal and you will be at emergency. And at this age with a fresh tree get the very small lights (not hot like large ones). NEVER leave the tree on when you are not in the room with your son and only when you are looking at the tree.
You cannot leave the tree up for a month; ten days is pushing it. If you buy the tree now/early, then put it in the garage in a large can of water (after you knotch it).
Remember simple is best to start and with age you can add to the tree. I would buy one ornament each year that is just his so when he leaves home he takes his memories with him. I did that for my nieces and now send one each year to my nephews.