Shopping For A Real Christmas Tree

With Thanksgiving in the not so distant past, it is time to venture out and do some shopping for a real live Christmas tree. Many families now days choose the manageable way out with an artificial tree, some of the fakes even have the decorations and lights already on them. No, no, no that is not how you shop for a real live fresh smelling Christmas tree.

A memorable way to gather the whole family together and involved, is to go out and buy or cut down a real hot off the presses Christmas tree the old fashion way. One without pre-made decorations or lights, one that explodes with a fragrance of pine already on it. Yes folks they do have them.

There is still a huge demand for real live Christmas trees that smell delicious. In many regions of the U.S. there are tree farmers who start the season of tree cutting around the Thanksgiving holiday. Another option is to purchase a real Christmas tree from the many Christmas tree lots spread throughout the United States. These trees are already freshly cut and ready for you to take home. This family outing can be an all day event, as many folks will tell you, picking out a real Christmas is not always an easy adventure to find the finest tree in the lot.

Every man, woman, and child in the family has their own concept of what that perfect tree should be. But of course there are logistics involved in the process of choosing a perfect Christmas tree. Such as the right size, what brand, price, freshness and of course that delightful fragrance.

If you've ever observed a family walking around a Christmas tree farm, trying to decide on a Christmas tree, it is then, you soon realize what Christmas should be about. Family kinship, togetherness, and love. Walking around gazing at all the delightful Christmas trees can be an all day family event.

It is estimated that about 25-35 million people will cut down or buy a real live Christmas tree this year. This estimation according to the National Christmas Tree Association. For each tree chopped down in the United States, between one and three seedlings are planted in its place every spring. This year, it is estimated 73 million trees will be planted. An estimated 350 million real Christmas trees are currently growing on Christmas tree farms in the United States.

When the economy is not so good, it severely affects the kind of tree people are going to be buying. The size of the tree is also a major decision, the height, the width, and of course what brand are important decisions in purchasing a Christmas tree if you are on a budget. Still, a lot of people want to buy real Christmas trees. They look beautiful, smell exquisite, and bring the family closer together. This is an experience all families can love.

• Real trees area a renewable, recyclable resource.
• The most popular Christmas Tree growing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
• In the United States alone there are more than 4,000 local Christmas Tree recycling programs.
• W.V. McGalliard was the first person to start a Christmas tree farm, in 1901 he planted 25,000 Norway spruce Christmas trees on his farm in New Jersey.
• Your tree begins to lose water as soon as it is cut. In a heated room, your tree can absorb up to a quart of water a day, check and fill the reservoir often. Once a tree has lost 20 percent of its moisture, it will not recover.
• In the 1800's German settlers introduced the The Christmas Tree.
• Most artificial Christmas trees are made of metals and plastics. The PVC material in artificial trees can be a source of hazordous lead.
• There are 100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry.
• In 1890 Christmas tree lights were first mass produced.
• President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the
  White House lawn in 1923.

• Be sure to select the right size. You should have an idea of the size you want before heading out to the Christmas Tree farm or lot. You want to make sure the height width is right, so when you get home it is not to big.
• Make sure the tree you pick is fresh. Needles on a fresh tree will snap when bent.
• Don't buy a tree that looks dry, discolored or the needles are falling off. You want it to look fresh and smell good, not musty. Otherwise It will more than likely not make it to Christmas.
• Dress for the occasion. Old clothes, comfortable shoes, gloves and other winter wear if you are in colder climates.
• Bring rope to tie your tree to your vehicle. Often all necessities are supplied, but not always. So it pays to be prepared.
• Bring your camera, you will want to capture your Christmas adventure.

Douglas Fir- Has a lovely fragrance, is full dark green, and it will hold it's needles well. It has a lovely citrus scent similar to lemons and oranges.

Fraser Fir- Soft dark green and silvery needles, they have a pleasant scent are spacious and easy to decorate. A popular Christmas tree choice.

Scotch Pine- A very sweet smelling tree that lasts forever, branches are stiff, and rarely drop when dry. Effortless to decorate. One of the most popular choices.

Balsam Fir- A very appealing Christmas tree with a pleasant scent. This tree is dark green in color, and is also able to hold heavier decorations. Because of spring frosts, the Balsam tree is usually only found in Northern Ohio.

Colorado Blue Spruce- This tree has a bluish silvery color, handles heavy decorations perfectly. The needles however, are not long lasting.

White Pine (White)- A fluffy tree with a bright green color, holds it's needles well. The needles are long and soft. This tree doesn't receive heavy decorations well.

Virginia Pine- A stout tree, medium in size, has a pleasing scent. Is dark green in color, and holds it's needles well.

White Spruce- The needles are long and have a silvery-blue hue. The branches are sturdy and can hold heavy decorations. Needles hold out for an average duration.

So now it is up to you, going to the crowded department store with the kids and throwing a Christmas tree in the shopping cart, or spending a memorable day out shopping for a real live Christmas tree with memories that will last a lifetime.