From the fresh pine smell to the natural ambiance, there are many reasons why real Christmas trees are better than artificial ones. In today’s blog, we’ll show you how to choose and care for your fresh cut or live Christmas tree so you can keep it looking great all season long.

The Difference Between Fresh Cut And Live Christmas Trees

They may sound like they’re referring to the same thing, but there’s a slight difference. Fresh cut trees are cut from a Christmas tree farm and delivered to lots where you can pick one out to take home. This is the most common way to select a real Christmas tree. Live Christmas trees have also been removed from a tree farm, but there’s one key difference: You can plant a live Christmas tree after the season is done. If you’re looking to be more eco-friendly, this is the perfect option for you. Instead of lopping off the tree’s root systems, the roots are gathered in burlap sacks. Once the holiday season is done, you can transplant the tree from the living room to your yard and enjoy it for years to come!

How To Pick A Fresh Christmas Tree

Living in the Pacific Northwest means we get more pleasant winters and milder weather year-round compared to other states. As such, you won’t have to worry as much about trees drying out or losing needles from the cold. Still, it’s important to know what to look for when selecting a tree. When you see the tree that could be “the one,” give the needles a gentle squeeze. It’s okay if some fall off, as all trees shed old needles eventually. However, if a bunch of needles drops, it could be a sign the tree is past its expiration date. Also, check for large brown patches. These could indicate the tree is dying or experiencing severe dryness. Lastly, be sure to walk all the way around the tree and see if it looks straight from all angles. The last thing you want is to take home a lopsided tree that teeters in its stand.

How To Make Your Christmas Tree Last All Season

Moisture is key to maintaining your Christmas tree the whole season long.

• Make sure your tree stand holds at least a quart of water.
• Boil a big pot of water for your tree the first time you put it in the stand. This will loosen any hardened sap at the base and make sure your tree has adequate water intake.
• If you’re putting the tree up the minute you take it home, ask the tree lot workers if they can trim 1/2 inch off the base of the trunk. This will improve water intake as well. If you’re not putting the tree up right away, don’t trim it until you’re about to do so
• Check the stand daily for water. You won’t need to boil water every time. So long as there’s plenty of water, your tree will thank you
• Check for dryness towards the outer branches by squeezing the needles as you did on the lot.
• Consider using LED Christmas lights. These generate less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs and therefore don’t dry out your tree as quickly.

Did You Know: Real Christmas Trees Are Better For The Environment

It may seem strange that repeatedly cutting down live trees would be good for the local Richland environment. However, artificial trees leave a much higher carbon footprint. For one, they are made from plastic, which is a non-renewable fossil fuel. While they may last for years and years, eventually you’ll have to replace it. Maybe you need a larger tree for all your ornaments. Maybe the prelit artificial tree you bought no longer lights up. Maybe the branches don’t bend as easily or break when you remove it from the box in the attic. Sure, you can donate your old artificial tree to a second-hand store, but it doesn’t sell during the holiday season, it’s likely to end up in a landfill…where it will never really breakdown.

Contrast this with a live real Christmas tree. You may think that Christmas trees are chopped down from the woods, but that’s not the case. These are all grown sustainably on Christmas tree farms. Basically, every year new trees are planted to replace the ones cut down from the previous holiday season. Since Christmas trees take anywhere from 7 to 15 years to reach a suitable height, this ensures a fresh batch of trees every year. It also means there’s no deforestation involved. When the holiday season has ended, you can put your tree on the curb and it will break down naturally in the landfill, or you can compost it. Many cities offer free composting services. Be sure to check with your local municipality for details.

Fresh Cut and Live Christmas Trees In Yakima and Richland, Washington

Looking for a real Christmas tree this year? We’re pleased to announce that Colonial Lawn & Garden is offering a selection of fresh-cut Nordmann Firs and Noble Firs as well as live Alpine Firs. Sales start the Friday after Thanksgiving. For more information, contact us here or give us a call! If you are in Yakima, call us at 509-966-1655. If you are in the Tri-City area, call 509-371-1655. Follow our blog for articles and tips on lawn and tree care. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.