ChristmasTrees.com

Welcome to ChristmasTrees.com your Internet source for Christmas
Tree information.

The first step in choosing a tree is deciding between a real tree
or an artificial tree.  Artificial trees come in a wide variety of
types and some come with lights or decorations.

Real trees also come in many varieties and can even be delivered
by mail or delivery service!

When selecting a real tree:

• Don’t get carried away with tree size!  Choose a tree at
  least one foot less than the ceiling height.  Room is needed to
  place the tree in the stand and place decorations on top of the
  tree.
• Make sure the bottom of the tree is long enough to be placed
  in the stand.  About an inch must be cut off off the bottom when
  setting the tree up in the home.
• The tree should not be wilted.  Also run you hand over the
  branches.  The needles should not come off, break, or be brittle.
• Check for insects.  Shake the tree or used compressed air to
  blow them out.

To care for the tree:

• When a cut tree bottom is exposed to air sap starts to form a
  “seal” in about an hour.  This “seal” reduces
  the intake of water and will cause the tree to dry out quickly.  The
  bottom must be kept in water at all times.
• When you are ready to set the tree up cut off 1/2 to 1 inch
  from the bottom of the tree before placing in the stand which should
  be filled with hot water (not boiling, but around 130-160º F) as
  soon as the tree is set up.
• The tree could absorb as much as a gallon of water the first
  day.
• The National Christmas Tree Association recommends not using
  any additives for the water.

Tree safety tips:

• Always choose a freshly cut tree.  To test a tree, strike the
  stump down on a firm surface. If needles fall off, the tree is too
  dry.
• Consider buying a live tree instead. You can plant it later
  to enjoy it for years to come.  Click here for Information on using
  and planting a live Christmas Tree.
• When you are ready to set the tree up cut off 1/2 to 1 inch
  from the bottom of the tree before placing in the stand which should
  be filled with hot water (not boiling, but around 130-160º F) as
  soon as the tree is set up.
• The tree could absorb as much as a gallon of water the first
  day.
• Use wire or nylon cord to secure the tree to the wall or
  ceiling to prevent it from being knocked over by children or pets
• Place the tree away from heat sources and, of course, from
  sparks and open flame.
• Always keep the tree well watered.  Check and refill often.
• Use only noncombustible decorations.
• Check and replace any worn or damaged light sets. It is a
  good practice to replace any set that is more that four or five
  years old.
• Use only U.L. or F.M. approved light strings;  Spot or
  floodlights should only be used on an artificial tree;  NO CANDLES!
• Avoid overloading electrical circuits or creating “octopus”
  connections.
• Do not use cellophane. There is no way to make it flameproof.
• Treat trees with a Fire Marshal approved flame retardant.
• Do not use cotton batting — including Santa’s whiskers — or
  paper decorations unless they have been treated with a
  flame-retardant treatment.
• Disconnect the lights at bedtime or when unattended
• Use miniature lights that produce less heat.
• Make sure there in an operational smoke detector installed
  nearby.
• Remove discarded wrappings and packages from the house
  immediately and never burn them in the woodstove or fireplace – it
  could cause a chimney fire.
• Do not burn tree branches in the fireplace – it could throw
  off a large amount of heat and cause a fire.  Christmas trees also
  cause an oily soot which may damage the fireplace.