Buying a tree is an important holiday experience, but with so many options, you may not know what to choose. Fear not; there are many techniques and tips you can use to make sure that you get the perfect tree for your household. Start the holiday season right by discovering how to select and purchase the tree of your dreams. When it’s finally in your home, bright and cheery, you’ll be overjoyed and full of the Christmas spirit.

Determine if You Want a Real or Artificial Tree

The debate between real and artificial trees is still alive and well, and there are many considerations that you should keep in mind when you are deciding what tree you want to choose.

There are several perks of having a real tree:

• Lower initial investment
• You get a new tree each year
• Can be recycled
• Are full of charms and character
• Real trees have a sweet fragrant smell
• You can support local farms
• Becomes part of a nice Christmas tradition

Some cons to a real Christmas tree include:

• Short relative lifespan, and you can only use it once
• Slightly more of a fire hazard, but risks are mitigated by proper tree care
• Reals trees can be hard to get home
• Messier because of the needles
• Some people have issues with allergies
• May not be able to hold super heavy ornaments, but some trees hold ornaments better than others

There are also many benefits that come with an artificial tree:

• One time investment that can last years
• They look fairly realistic
• Not too messy
• Don’t require much maintenance
• They can already come with the lights on for easy use
• They can hold the heaviest ornaments
• They can come in untraditional colors or shapes

But there are also cons to artificial trees:

• More initial investment
• Large environmental impact because they are made of plastic
• They don’t have the fragrant scent of a real tree
• It’s hard to capture the natural character of a real tree
• You have to store them during the off seasons
• They only last a few years
• They don’t have the same Christmasy feel
• Supports big companies

Your ultimate decision will come down to the specific needs of you and your family. Think about what means the most to you this holiday season, and that can help you make the most informed decision. While nothing compares to a real tree, there are some good reasons a person may choose an artificial tree.

Buying a Christmas Tree

Finding a good tree is easier when you are buying an artificial tree because you can choose the tree based on how it looks and the size you want. There are various types of artificial needles and various levels of realisticness, but you can easily find the shape and realisticness you want with a simple web search. However, real trees have more variables, and the shape and character of each tree can differ significantly.

There are more considerations that you’ll want to think about if you want the best real Christmas tree for your needs. You’ll want to think about the variety of the tree, the size, the shape, and the method you will use to get your tree.

Choose the Size of Your Tree

Choosing the size of your tree is an important part of the process. You want to consider how big the space you have for your tree is, and you also want to think about your ceiling height. Some trees will take up more space than others. A fraser or balsam fir are good choices if you want a slimmer tree, for instance.

You’ll also want to make sure that your tree is shorter than your ceiling. Your tree should be at least 6 inches below your ceiling height. You also want to incorporate the height of your tree topper and the tree stand. Generally, the average height of a ceiling is 8 to 9 feet, and a tree that is 7 feet to 7.5 feet is usually the best option for these spaces.

Think of Varieties of Trees

There are many varieties of trees that you can choose from when you are getting your tree, and each of these trees will have its own character. What that means is that you can balance what qualities you want and determine what is most important to you when it comes to factors like shape, color, needle retention, and fragrance of your tree. No matter what you do, you cannot go wrong with any of these varieties of trees.

Fraser Fir

The Fraser fir tree has upturned branches that can hold ornaments well. It’s good for smaller spaces because it is a slimmer tree, but it still has a nice pyramid shape that will look great in your home. With good needle retention and dense foliage, it looks like an idyllic Christmas tree. Its scent is sweet.It’s no wonder it is the most popular tree species!

Scotch Pine

The scotch pine is one of the trees with the best needle retention because even dry needles don’t fall off as often. This tree lasts a long time, so it holds up well during the holiday season and stays very fresh.Its bright green color is vibrant and cheery.

Douglas Fir

The dark green color of the douglas fir is distinctive. Its shape is nice. When compressed, its needles give off a sweet scent, and it is one of the best-smelling trees. The needles extend in all directions.

Balsam Fir

This tree has a dark green, sturdy branch and a spire-like top. Its pyramidal crown makes it look inviting and pleasing to the eyes. It has a very nice scent that’s rich. Its short and flat needles are long-lasting.

White Spruce

The white spruce has a blue-green color and stiff and short needles. It’s got strong branches and good needle retention that hold ornaments very well. It has a very traditional tree shape that people often like. When the needles are crushed, their aroma is unpleasant but not overwhelmingly so.

Virginia Pine

The Virginia pine is a stout tree and has twisted, short, and stiff needles. It is good if you like trimming your tree. Its foliage is quite dense, and its branches are long and spread a good bit. It is a tree with a finer texture than the others.

Choose How You Will Get Your Tree

You also want to consider how you are going to get your tree. You can buy from local vendors, home improvement stores with garden sections, and local farms. Walddie can give you local farm christmas tree delivery in Philadelphia from the comfort of your home. Online tree delivery can make getting a real tree easier while still providing a fresh tree. Delivery is a great option for those who want the perks of a real tree without the hassle of having to lug it home.