Find The Perfect Christmas Tree
For many of us, selecting and decorating a Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition. Whether you select a fresh cut, live or everlasting tree, here are some things to consider:
Fresh Cut Trees
We work with small growers, who have the ability to provide us with Christmas trees on an as-needed basis so they’re as fresh as possible. Many times we get trees the day after the grower has cut them. Not only are these trees fresh, but they’re beautifully shaped. Most of our trees are the top 15% of our growers’ crops.
Our most popular fresh cut tree is the Fraser fir, which is fragrant with a nice shape and color. Its stiff branches are perfect for hanging ornaments. Douglas fir is another popular tree. It’s a very full tree with a lighter green color than the Fraser fir. White pine and Scotch pine are fast growing trees with a loose, open form. Noble fir is another terrific tree with dark blue-green needles, great fragrance, nice form and sturdy branches.
With the exception of Noble fir, all of our cut trees are grown in Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
After you find the perfect tree, we’re happy to make a fresh cut, net and load your tree. If you like, we can even flock your tree for that special snow-covered look. When you get home, place your tree in a tub of tepid water as soon as possible. If the resin dries sealing the cut (usually within four hours), make another fresh cut. Check your tree frequently and add water as necessary.
Live Trees
Live Christmas trees are a great tradition, and add lasting memories to your landscape. Just be sure you are prepared for the additional care and attention they require. All plants must acclimate to their growing environment. Moving a tree from the outdoors to the indoors and back outdoors can be stressful for the tree. Allowing time for it to acclimate to the changing conditions will help keep it healthy.
Keep your tree in a sheltered place, such as next to your home, until it’s time to bring it indoors. When you bring the tree inside, try to keep it in a cool room, away from heating vents. The root ball needs to be kept moist, but not soaking wet. An easy way to keep your tree watered is to place ice cubes on top of the root ball and allow them to gradually melt. We suggest that live trees be kept inside no more than 10 to 14 days or so.
After the holidays, move your tree back outdoors to a sheltered location before planting it in the landscape. You can make planting easier and avoid problems of frozen soil or harsh weather by digging the hole ahead of time. Fill the hole with mulch and for safety, place a board over the hole until you’re ready to plant the tree.
Everlasting Trees
Everlasting trees now outnumber natural Christmas trees, according to national statistics. Their ease, convenience and economy make them an attractive alternative. And, as technology continues to improve, they’re very easy to assemble and realistic in appearance.
Most artificial trees use a hinged construction, where the branches are attached to the center pole and simply unfold when assembled. These trees have pre-wired lights, making it possible to put up the tree in a mere 15 to 20 minutes. The new trend is the use of LED lights to make them more energy efficient. Some gardeners have difficulty bringing an artificial tree into their home, but they do have some advantages. They don’t need to be watered, don’t shed needles and can be used year after year.
Each type of tree – fresh cut, live or everlasting – offers its own unique qualities. We invite you to visit us at Merrifield Garden Center, where you’ll find a huge selection of top quality Christmas trees and plenty of holiday cheer!