How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree

With Christmas right around the corner, time is running out to find the perfect tree for your home. Over 25 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year and it can be difficult to know what type of tree suits your needs and how to care for it. Did you know, for instance, that there are over 15 varieties of Christmas trees, with 6 different fir tree varieties alone?

We've asked Christmas tree and decorating experts for tips on choosing the perfect tree this year, from selection, to caring for your tree, to the best part-decorating!

The White House Christmas tree arrives

• Before you head to the Christmas tree farm or store be prepared to know exactly how much room you have for the tree, so make sure to take measurements. There's nothing worse than purchasing a tree and discovering it's too big for your space.

• "For smaller spaces, consider putting a smaller tree on a table top," say sister design team Jennifer and Kitty O'Neill, of Runningwithsisters.com. "Just pick out the table you want to use, and measure from the top of table as you would for a full-size tree."

• Do some research on the different types of trees available. Though the most commonly used species for a Christmas tree is the Fraser Fir, there are other types of trees, such as the Leland Cyprus, the Blue Spruce, White Pine, and more. The National Christmas Tree Association has a list of the most popular varieties on their website, with photos and regional guides.

• If you're in the market for a tree that's going to make your home smell like Christmas, your best bet is the Douglas Fir. If you've inherited mountains of ornaments, the "Noble Firs are perfect for decorating, with their strong branches and tiny needles," according to the O'Neill sisters.

• Check on the tree's freshness by doing a branch and needle check. "Run a branch through your enclosed hand - the needles should not come off easily. Bend the outer branches - they should be pliable. If they are brittle and snap easily, the tree is too dry," according to the NCTA.

• Once you have the tree in your home, don't be afraid to do a little re-arranging. "We like to put the tree where we will get to spend the most time with it and see it best. You may have a great window in the living room, but if you spend all your time in the family room, that's where the tree belongs," the O'Neill sisters recommend. "Don't be afraid to move a side table or easy chair out to the garage to make room for the tree. Mixing it up is part of what makes Christmas fun!"

• Cut the base of the tree to ensure its freshness in the stand. "Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis," the NCTA recommends. "Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a V-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree."

• Water your tree religiously. "A fresh tree will absorb more than a gallon of water in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter. Do not place the tree near sources of heat like fireplaces, radiators, vents, TVs or constant direct sunlight," according to Green Valley Christmas Trees in California. The hard rule is one quart of water per inch of stem diameter.

• You want to make sure you don't come to a toppled tree-buying the right stand is more important than you might think. Make sure the stand is large enough to accommodate the tree and safely secured.

• If the responsibility of a real Christmas tree feels overwhelming to you, there are great artificial options as well. Balsam Hill, an artificial tree manufacturer, has developed a "True Needle" technology that mimics living tree varieties. It's also worth noting that an artificial tree comes with a warranty-most for at least 7 years.

• Did you know that smaller lights, which produce less heat, are less drying for the tree? While you're at it, use LED lights that use less energy so your home is more eco-friendly for the holidays.

• In terms of how many lights you should buy, Green Valley Christmas Trees recommends "100 lights for each vertical foot of tree. A seven-foot tree, for example, should have at least 700 lights."

• Once you're ready to decorate, it's best to begin with the lights. "Plug the lights in at the back and bottom of the tree, then work your way around the tree until you have rapped the tree up to the top," according to the O'Neill sisters. "This is easier to do with the lights turned on!"

• And always, always remember to turn off the lights on the tree before going to bed!

Related links:
Preventing Christmas tree fires
Christmas trees light up around the world
Deck the Halls: 15 weird and wacky Christmas tree ornaments