First question to be answered is: live or artificial tree? There is a lot to be said for the fresh scent of a live Christmas tree. If you decide this is the route for you, look for a tree that has excellent needle retention and a great fragrance. It’s up to you whether or not you prefer a tree with soft needles. I generally only minded this as I was setting up the tree and taking it down. I personally prefer fir trees over spruce or pine for these characteristics.
Another great advantage to picking out a live tree is they are renewable and recyclable. The limbs can be cut and used as mulch for perennial beds. If you have a chipper/shredder, it is extremely easy to create a bed of mulch for the spring from your old tree. Where I live there are programs for bringing in your tree to have it shredded and then take it back home for your yard or garden. Of course this can also be a downside if you don’t have an adequate way of disposing and transporting the tree.
Of course the downside to a live tree is the mess to clean up afterwards with all those dead needles the tree will shed on the floor. We generally find needles for weeks later even after we think we have them all cleaned up!!!! Also, you must be extremely careful to maintain your live tree properly to keep it from becoming a fire hazard. A live tree is preferred over a cut tree for this reason. Also, the tree should only be left up for a limited amount of time.
I suppose long-term you will save money if you purchase an artificial tree, rather than purchasing a new live tree every year. Most artificial trees now are flame retardant. You don’t have to put up with the care and feeding, but you will have some effort and time setting up the tree as the branches on artificial trees usually need a little extra help shaping to make them look natural. The quality of artificial tree improve every year, and nowadays it is difficult to tell a fake tree until you get up close to examine it.
You can leave an artificial tree up as long as you want. I have been known to leave mine up until March or April. I have some friends who keep a tree up all year long and change out the decorations for the holidays. It will become a Valentine’s Day tree, a Fourth of July tree, a Halloween tree, etc.
There is no mess with an artificial tree and, generally speaking, there are a wide variety of styles from which to choose. Be sure you have enough storage space in your home after you take the tree down.
Whatever tree you pick out, I hope it brings you great joy this Christmas season.
Christmas tree
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