Frank Gouin, retired head of the department of horticulture at the University of Maryland, College Park, knows his trees and how to keep them (and you) happy. Not only did he spend three decades advising the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, but he grows Christmas trees himself, on 6 acres at his southern Anne Arundel County farm. Here are tips for keeping your tree fresh.
Safety first It's best to avoid trees that, as a breed, dry out quickly and could become fire hazards. That should be the first consideration, Gouin stresses. The safest trees, he says, are Douglas firs ("even four weeks after being cut, they would not ignite"), Scotch pines and blue spruce. The worst, he says, are Fraser firs.
Buy early The main trick, Gouin insists, is to get a tree that's been cut down as recently as possible. A tree that's been leaning up against a stand somewhere for a couple of weeks, or lying on a flatbed, might not have much life left in it — especially since it might have been cut as long ago as October. "The most important thing is, get as fresh a tree as you possibly can," he says. "If you're going to go to a corner lot to buy a tree, you should go as soon as it opens up."
Cheap tricks Once you buy the tree, cut a couple inches off the bottom, to help clear sap and other bacteria that may have settled at the base and could prevent water from flowing up. At least at first, stick it in 100-degree water, to stimulate the flow of water up into the tree. When the tree is moved inside, repeat the process. And put some Floralife crystals (the stuff florists suggest for cut flowers) into the water.
Stay cool While it's outside, shade is important. "Keep it out of the sunlight completely," he says. "If it gets to be a hot day, spray it with water. That will help cool it down." When moved inside, "keep it away from radiator vents, places where it will get intense heat. Then it won't dry out very fast."
—Chris Kaltenbach, courtesy of the Baltimore Sun
Cutting your own Of course, if you want a really fresh tree, there's no substitute for going out and cutting it down yourself. Baltimore is ringed with Christmas tree farms; here are just a few. Be sure to call ahead for directions, hours, pricing details and whether you need to bring your own saw.
Noble Fir
Sturdy branches make this Pacific Northwest native a good choice if you have a lot of weighty ornaments. The tree has thick, silvery-green needles and limbs that stick straight out from the trunk, giving this fir a full, rounded appearance.
White Pine
This large blue-green tree grows throughout the East, to Ohio and parts of the South. It's often sheared to have a more narrow silhouette, but its dense look can obscure ornaments. The springy branches aren't good with bulky garlands or lights. White pine has very little aroma but is reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than some of the more aromatic species. Needle retention is good to excellent.
Concolor Fir
Indigenous to the West, this sweet-scented tree has a tall, narrow silhouette. The loosely spaced, bluish needles are great for showcasing ornaments. It's also called a white fir.
'Carolina Sapphire' Cypress
This southern dweller is naturally broad and has a strong scent of lemon and mint. It's very similar to the 'Blue Ice' cypress (and has similar drawbacks).
Nordmann Fir
The preferred Christmas tree in Europe, this evergreen is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. It's grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest and is prized for its fat pyramid shape and lush, dark-green foliage
Leyland Cypress
Feathery, dark-green to gray foliage sets apart this Christmas tree, the most popular one in the Southeast. The silhouette varies from tree to tree and can be tall and slender or squat and rounded. The species absorbs an unusually large amount of water; its stand needs to be refilled several times per day.
Balsam Fir
This classic northeastern Christmas tree is a near twin of the Fraser fir. Its long-lasting needles are a deep green, and the tree has a pyramid shape that culminates in a slender top. Plus, it retains a pleasing fragrance.
Douglas Fir
One of the most common holiday trees in the Pacific Northwest, this species has firm branches and soft, blue-green or dark-green needles that emit a fragrance when crushed. Light in weight, it can be easier to transport than other trees.
'Blue Ice' Cypress
A cultivar of the Arizona cypress, this silvery-blue tree has a citrus aroma and a narrow steeple shape. It's found in the Gulf states, Georgia, and South Carolina. The branches support small lights, tinsel, and a few ornaments, but nothing heavy.
Fraser Fir
A pair of silvery stripes on the underside of each needle distinguishes this aromatic tree from the nearly identical balsam fir. Found in high-elevation regions of the South as well as in the Northeast and Great Lakes states, it has strong, upturned branches that are ideal for holding ornaments.
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Holiday Handbook
Safety first It's best to avoid trees that, as a breed, dry out quickly and could become fire hazards. That should be the first consideration, Gouin stresses. The safest trees, he says, are Douglas firs ("even four weeks after being cut, they would not ignite"), Scotch pines and blue spruce. The worst, he says, are Fraser firs.
Buy early The main trick, Gouin insists, is to get a tree that's been cut down as recently as possible. A tree that's been leaning up against a stand somewhere for a couple of weeks, or lying on a flatbed, might not have much life left in it — especially since it might have been cut as long ago as October. "The most important thing is, get as fresh a tree as you possibly can," he says. "If you're going to go to a corner lot to buy a tree, you should go as soon as it opens up."
Cheap tricks Once you buy the tree, cut a couple inches off the bottom, to help clear sap and other bacteria that may have settled at the base and could prevent water from flowing up. At least at first, stick it in 100-degree water, to stimulate the flow of water up into the tree. When the tree is moved inside, repeat the process. And put some Floralife crystals (the stuff florists suggest for cut flowers) into the water.
Stay cool While it's outside, shade is important. "Keep it out of the sunlight completely," he says. "If it gets to be a hot day, spray it with water. That will help cool it down." When moved inside, "keep it away from radiator vents, places where it will get intense heat. Then it won't dry out very fast."
—Chris Kaltenbach, courtesy of the Baltimore Sun
Cutting your own Of course, if you want a really fresh tree, there's no substitute for going out and cutting it down yourself. Baltimore is ringed with Christmas tree farms; here are just a few. Be sure to call ahead for directions, hours, pricing details and whether you need to bring your own saw.
Noble Fir
Sturdy branches make this Pacific Northwest native a good choice if you have a lot of weighty ornaments. The tree has thick, silvery-green needles and limbs that stick straight out from the trunk, giving this fir a full, rounded appearance.
White Pine
This large blue-green tree grows throughout the East, to Ohio and parts of the South. It's often sheared to have a more narrow silhouette, but its dense look can obscure ornaments. The springy branches aren't good with bulky garlands or lights. White pine has very little aroma but is reported to result in fewer allergic reactions than some of the more aromatic species. Needle retention is good to excellent.
Concolor Fir
Indigenous to the West, this sweet-scented tree has a tall, narrow silhouette. The loosely spaced, bluish needles are great for showcasing ornaments. It's also called a white fir.
'Carolina Sapphire' Cypress
This southern dweller is naturally broad and has a strong scent of lemon and mint. It's very similar to the 'Blue Ice' cypress (and has similar drawbacks).
Nordmann Fir
The preferred Christmas tree in Europe, this evergreen is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. It's grown primarily in the Pacific Northwest and is prized for its fat pyramid shape and lush, dark-green foliage
Leyland Cypress
Feathery, dark-green to gray foliage sets apart this Christmas tree, the most popular one in the Southeast. The silhouette varies from tree to tree and can be tall and slender or squat and rounded. The species absorbs an unusually large amount of water; its stand needs to be refilled several times per day.
Balsam Fir
This classic northeastern Christmas tree is a near twin of the Fraser fir. Its long-lasting needles are a deep green, and the tree has a pyramid shape that culminates in a slender top. Plus, it retains a pleasing fragrance.
Douglas Fir
One of the most common holiday trees in the Pacific Northwest, this species has firm branches and soft, blue-green or dark-green needles that emit a fragrance when crushed. Light in weight, it can be easier to transport than other trees.
'Blue Ice' Cypress
A cultivar of the Arizona cypress, this silvery-blue tree has a citrus aroma and a narrow steeple shape. It's found in the Gulf states, Georgia, and South Carolina. The branches support small lights, tinsel, and a few ornaments, but nothing heavy.
Fraser Fir
A pair of silvery stripes on the underside of each needle distinguishes this aromatic tree from the nearly identical balsam fir. Found in high-elevation regions of the South as well as in the Northeast and Great Lakes states, it has strong, upturned branches that are ideal for holding ornaments.
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Holiday Handbook
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