Purchasing A Real Christmas Tree
Whether you are concerned about the environment or simply want your family to experience a traditional Christmas tree, you will want a real Christmas tree. There are three basic ways to purchase a real Christmas tree:
(1) at a Christmas tree lot;
(2) cutting your own tree in the forest or at a Christmas tree farm or plantation; or
(3) buying your tree on-line. Each way has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Christmas Tree Lots
Push the kids into the family van and head for the local Christmas tree lot. Hopefully, the weather will be agreeable, the crowds will be manageable and you can find a beautiful tree at just the right price.
However, BUYER BEWARE. Retail Christmas tree lots usually order their inventory well in advance and may end up with trees that have been cut in late October or early November. To maintain the appearance of freshness, some retailers resort to spraying their trees with green paint to hide the dried out needles.
There are several ways to check whether the tree you would like to purchase is fresh. One way is to bend the needles. If they break, the tree is excessively dried out. Another approach is simply to shake the tree to see if the needles will fall. If too many fall, the tree may be too dry.
Pricing at a tree lot is another challenge for a buyer. Avoid the tree lots that have not already priced each of their trees. Too often, an unscrupulous tree lot sales person will size up their customer before giving a price.
Cutting Your Own Tree
Who hasn’t fantasized about heading deep into the forest to find the most perfect of all Christmas trees? Such is still possible, but one will first need to buy a Christmas tree cutting permit from the USDA Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management. The permits range in price from typically $5 to $15 dollars per tree.
Before heading out, make sure that you check the weather and that you take winter safety gear with you such a tire chains, shovels, flashlights and blankets. Dress warmly and know where you are at all times. In addition, familiarize yourself with the applicable rules for tree cutting in National Forests. Failure to do so could result in significant fines of $5,000 or more.
If you do not live near a National Forest, but you would still like to have your family experience the thrill of cutting your own Christmas tree, look for tree farms/plantations in your area. Many tree farms will let you select and reserve your tree well in advance of Christmas. Then, before Christmas, you can cut your tree without concern that someone will beat you to. The result is a guaranteed fresh Christmas tree.
Use your local telephone or business directories to locate Christmas tree farms or plantations near you.
Purchasing On-line
For those who do not fancy themselves as Paul Bunyan heading off to the forest with an axe thrown over your shoulder or do not relish spending a cold, blustery Saturday afternoon slogging through slush at local Christmas tree lot, on-line purchases may be the answer. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, on-line purchases of real Christmas trees is growing at an annual rate of between 25 to 50%.
On-line purchasers are looking for convenience, quality and freshness. On-line purchases are a hassle-free, timesaving approach to enjoying a traditional Christmas.
Of course, to locate the perfect tree on-line, you start with an internet search using your favorite search engine. Key words to search include: “fresh Christmas trees”, “real Christmas trees” and “on-line Christmas trees”.
Which ever approach to buying a real Christmas tree you choose, enjoy the season and have a Merry Christmas.
Tags: Christmas, christmas tree, christmas trees, holiday, real christmas tree