How To Select Your Holiday Tree

1. Measure your ceiling height accurately. Take into consideration the height of your tree top ornament and the height your tree stand raises the tree off the floor.

2. Determine the decorating theme that will be used. Some species have more open foliage, stiffer branches or longer needles. Research the characteristics of the different species on the KCTGA website www.kctga.com, then find a farm near you that has the species you are looking for.

3. Measure the tree you intend to purchase, Don't guess - trees look much smaller outdoors.

4.Proper measuring eliminates the need for pruning and cutting the tree off at home.

5. Everyone looks for the "perfect tree," but keep in mind that a flat side or two may be helpful in fitting a tree closer to a wall or corner.

6. Remember the freshest tree you can buy is the one you watch being cut. The next freshest is a tree grown locally. Ask your supplier where the tree came from. A fresh Christmas tree has soft pliable needles that do not snap when bent or come loose when the outer branches are stroked.

7. All conifers (evergreen trees) shed needles from inner branches and these often lodge in the interior of the tree - do not confuse these old needles as signs of a dry tree. Many retailers will supply a tree shaking service. The shaking service actually removes the loose dead needles before you take the tree home.

8. Consider having your tree wrapped in netting. This compresses the tree and makes it easier to transport and maneuver through doorways, hallways, etc.

Source: National Christmas Tree Association and your local Christmas Tree Professional. www.realchristmastrees.org

Care of a Real Christmas Tree

When a Christmas tree is cut, over half of its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your displayed trees. Below are a number of tips relating to the care of displayed trees:

1. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water. The tree may need to be supported in some manner to keep if from tipping over.

2. Displaying trees in water is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss.

3. Make a fresh cut to remove a 1/2" to 1" thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand.

4. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter.

5. Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.

6. Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will help maintain freshness and result in less water consumption each day.

7. The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake.

8. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.

9. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.

10. Applying film-forming anti-transpirants to the needles, adding water-holding gels, floral preservatives, commercial tree preservatives, or other concoctions to the water does not have a significant effect on the rate of moisture loss from the tree. Tests have shown that clean water is all that is needed to maintain freshness.

11. Use of miniature lights will produce less heat and reduce drying of the tree.

12. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

13. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

14. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove of fireplace.

Recycle your Real Christmas Tree

After the holidays, a Real Christmas Tree keeps on giving:

1. Place the Christmas tree in the garden or backyard to provide winter shelter for small birds.

2. Before recycling, make bird feeders from the Christmas tree, adding color and excitement to the yard or winter garden. Hang special treats for the birds on the tree. Treats such as orange slices will attract birds, as will peanut butter spread on tree pine cones, or suet balls stuffed with sunflower seeds.

3. Sink the Christmas tree into a fish pond. Trees commonly are wired to cement blocks and sunk in 6 to 10 feet of water. They make excellent refuge and feeding areas for fish. Fish tend to concentrate in these areas. Some hide in the branches to escape predators, others feed on snails and aquatic insects found on the structures, and others seek the shaded areas during hot and sunny days.

4. Christmas Trees can be used as wildlife cover in fields, forests and other natural settings. Birds, rabbits and other small animals can use them as shelter during the winter months. These trees will eventually decay.

5. Christmas trees also make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches.

6. A Christmas tree is biodegradable. Its branches and needles make a good mulch in the garden.

7. Many cities and municipalities gather Christmas trees on special collection days and put them through shredders which chop them up into small pieces. The resulting mulch can then be used on walkways or paths. When used in flower beds, gardens, or as ground cover, the mulch provides a protective barrier for the roots of other plants and vegetation while preventing weeds from growing. The mulch then decomposes, providing the nutrients that plants need to thrive.