throughout the holiday season . It has beautiful dark green foliage and its branches are perfect for large heavy ornaments . Many tree farms and local nurseries carry pre-cut Fraser firs , typically grown in North Carolina .
One popular Christmas Tree in the South is the Virginia Pine . The pine ’ s branches are stout and woody and has an extremely dense foliage . Woodpeckers love these trees … so make sure your tree is free of critters before bringing the tree in the house ! The Virginia pine ’ s needles are paired and twisted . Of course , the fragrance is piney .
There are two cypress trees which make beautiful Christmas Trees : the Leyland Cypress and the Sapphire Cypress . The Leyland Cypress has dark green - gray color and very little aroma . Its foliage has small soft needles and flexible branches , which do not support heavy ornaments . The Leyland Cypress is a good choice for those with allergies to sap as it does not have any ! The Carolina Sapphire Cypress has lacy blue foliage , a citrus aroma and its branches are strong enough for those heavy ornaments .
Selecting the Perfect Real Christmas Tree
If you have made the decision to purchase a real tree this year , congratulations ! Here are a few tips from the NTCA to help you select the perfect tree for your home :
• Measure your space - know your ceiling height and the width of the place it ’ s going to reside . You don ’ t want to have to move your favorite chair to fit the tree or have to look through the tree to watch your favorite Christmas movie .
• Take a measuring tape with you to the farm or store .
• Measure the tree in the field ! The trees in the field look small when the sky is the ceiling .
• Think about all those decorations you have stored in the attic .. are you placing them all on the tree ? Do you need stiff branches this year ?
• Ask the farmer or retailer about the trees . If the tree is pre-cut , ask when was it delivered .
• Perform a branch / needle test for freshness - grab the branch with your hand and gently pull the needles - they should not come off easily . Then bend the outer branches – they should be pliable . If they are brittle and snap easily , the tree is too dry and should be avoided .
• Look to see if there are lots of needle loss , faded or discolored foliage .. if so , keep looking , this tree is too dry .
Taking Care of the Christmas Tree
The tree is in your home and looks fabulous in the room . Here are a few tips from the NTCA to keep it looking its best :
• Place your fresh tree in a water reservoir as soon as you get home . The size of the reservoir should hold 1 quart of water per inch of tree diameter .
• Use lots of water and check the water level daily .
• 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 . Don ’ t cut the trunk at an angle , or into a v-shape , or whittle the tree to fit the stand .
• Keep trees away from major sources of heat ( fireplaces , heaters , heat vents , direct sunlight ).
• Use lights that produce low heat , such as miniature lights .
• Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed .
• Once Christmas is over , find a place that recycles Christmas Trees .
Start a new tradition this year by purchasing a real Christmas Tree from your local Christmas Tree farm and helping the environment by recycling your tree .
If you want to learn more about the different types of Christmas Trees visit the National Christmas Tree Association ’ s website , as well as , the History Channel .
40 SOUTHERN HOLIDAY LIFE 2020