Thanksgiving is past and for many, this is the time to set up, find Christmas ornaments, and decorate their Christmas tree. Picking a Christmas tree is a tradition for many, but the convenience and safety of an artificial tree is something to consider. Here are a few tips for choosing the best Christmas tree this Holiday Season.

How to Pick a Christmas Tree

The first thing to figure out is whether or not you want a live tree or an artificial tree. There are pros and cons to both!

• Live trees have that signature pine smell 
• Live trees have a charm 
• Picking a tree is a fun family tradition
• No need to store the tree in the off season
• Artificial trees don’t need to be watered
• Artificial trees are not a fire hazard
• Artificial trees save money in the long run as they are reusable 

How to pick a live Christmas Tree

Picking out a live Christmas tree is a fun experience for the whole family. Load up the car and head to a local tree farm to look at a selection of trees. Here are a few things to consider when buying a Christmas Tree:

1) Size.

Try to have an idea of what size tree you are able to fit in your home. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a tree and finding you must trim the edges and top to make it fit in your home. Measure the space top to bottom for height, and across the space for an approximate diameter. When you find a potential tree, do a quick check to ensure it will fit your space!

2) Health.

Trees, like any plant, are susceptible to disease and damage. While most tree farms make an effort to prune and care for damaged or sick trees, it’s still a good idea to carefully inspect the tree before cutting it. Look for excessive brown pine needles, discolored branches or needles or other signs of an unhealthy tree. 

3) Shape.

The last thing to check for is the shape of the tree. Trees are pruned to have pleasant geometry, but gaps, wider bases or more uniform length of branches all exist. Pick a tree that is pleasing to your family. If the tree does have a gap btu everything else is perfect, it’s okay! Simply orient that part of the tree to the wall or corner.

Live trees are fun to pick! Load it up and take it home. Don’t forget to have a tree stand ready!