PICKING THE PERFECT TREE

As families head out into fields and lots looking for Christmas trees, chances are each will find the perfect one.

Local tree farmers say part of the joy of raising Christmas trees lies in the fact that everyone finds the best one.

Owners of Christmas tree farms and lots expect this to be one of the busiest weekends of the year.

"People will be here with video cameras. Everyone saws a little on the tree. It's one of the most fun parts of the business. Almost everyone is in a good mood," said Joannie Smith of River Ridge Christmas Tree Farm in Commerce.

At Horseshoe Pines Christmas Tree Farms in Jackson, customers may ride out into the fields in a wagon drawn by Belgian horses.

"Everybody likes something different," said Teresa Meier of Horseshoe Pines. "Everyone who comes back says they have found the perfect tree -- the best one out there -- and they have."

David Schwab, owner of Schwab's Pines in Jackson, agreed.

"They look for that perfect tree. And when they find it, it is the perfect tree for them," he said. "The important thing is that the family is together. You want to get the kids involved in picking a tree."

The perfect tree is largely a matter of personal taste.

Most people want a tree with a nice tapered look and with a good top.

"The top is what they look at first," Smith said. "They can do something with the bottom, but it's got to have a good top."

Local farms grow Scotch Pines, along with many other varieties. Some have long soft needles. Other varieties have sharp, stiff needles.

Smith said the most popular tree she offers is the Fraser Fir. "It doesn't grow here," she said. "It grows in the mountains of Virginia."

White Pine, Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir all can be found. Again it's a matter of personal taste.

"They all make good Christmas trees," said Meier.

All the varieties should remain fresh for at least a month, with proper attention.

Shoppers should be careful when selecting a tree that has been shipped in. Check for freshness. Needles should be soft and shouldn't fall off easily.

"No needles on a pine tree are older than two years," Meier said. Shaking the tree will remove any old needles trapped in the branches.

Tree farmers stress the importance of making a new cut in the trunk of the tree to keep it fresh.

"It's a natural process for the tree to seal over to preserve it's moisture," Schwab said.

When the tree is sealed, it can't take up new water. Making a new cut of at least a quarter inch will give the tree a chance to absorb additional water.

After making the cut, put the tree in water within 30 minutes. The tree will be sealed over within two hours.

The tree will drink lots of water, especially during the first few days.

"If you let the water run dry, the tree will seal over again," Schwab said. "You need to keep water over the butt at all times."

Smith sells a "watering elf," which is sort of a long tube stuck in the tree stand. You can water the tree without having to crawl under the tree.

Good fresh tap water, at a lukewarm temperature, is best for trees.

"Plain water is best," Smith said. "Additives do more harm than good. They actually clog up the veins the trees use to take up water."

The perfect height varies. "We sell a lot of 5 foot trees for people who live in apartments," Schwab said. "Then there are a lot of newer homes with cathedral ceilings. They want 8 or 9 foot trees."

The most popular height is between 6 and 8 feet.

"We have people with 8 foot ceilings who go home with a 10 foot tree," Smith said.

And often the tree seems much larger when it arrives home.

Some people are concerned that cutting a real tree will harm the environment.

"We grow these trees for people to enjoy," Schwab said. "If they weren't being used for Christmas trees, we wouldn't be growing them at all."

While the trees mature, they provide oxygen, wildlife shelter and erosion control.

When the holidays are over, trees can be mulched or used for fish habitats.

Tips

-- Many varieties of Christmas trees are available. With proper care, all should last through the season.

-- Touch the needles. They should be soft and shouldn't fall off in your hand.

-- Shake the tree to remove any old needles trapped in the branches.

-- After cut, a tree is best stored in a cool place out of the sun, like a garage or shed.

-- Before putting up the tree, make a fresh cut on the butt of the tree of 1/4 inch or more. This allows the tree to absorb water.

-- Put the tree in water within 30 minutes of making the cut.

-- Pick a tree stand that holds lots of water.

-- Give the tree plenty of fresh, lukewarm water, as much as a gallon a day. Keep the cut covered with water.

-- Fresh water is best. Studies show additives do more harm than good by clogging up the veins trees use to absorb water.

-- Keep the tree away from fireplaces or other heat sources to avoid drying.