What makes the perfect Christmas tree?
In fact, there are several things to consider before making a final decision.
According to Pam Johnson of Johnson Holler Trees, one of the first things to do is to feel a tree’s branches.
“If the needles are falling out in your hand, it’s not a good sign,” Johnson said.
Another thing to look for when showing up at a Christmas tree lot is to see if the base of the trees has displayed have been placed in water.
Johnson said this is important because water helps the tree from drying out and prevents it from dying as quick as it would out of the water.
“If you keep it in water, it will last a couple of months,” Johnson said.
Although most people do not keep their Christmas tree passed the early part of January, Johnson’s statement proves the impact water can have on the life of a tree.
Putting the tree in water once it gets set up at home is also a valuable step in making sure the tree looks the part through the Christmas holiday.
“Many people will put water in at first, but then forget to keep adding more as time goes,” Johnson said.
In many ways, it is just like watering any other plants around the house and should be ideally watered daily.
Johnson had an array of tree sizes from tall ones to the shorter variety perfect for a tabletop arrangement.
However, she stressed the importance of knowing where the tree will go once it gets home. Having a plan before even going to the tree lot includes measuring the room and the space where the tree will sit.
Then, once you arrive at the lot make sure to measure the height and width of the tree to make sure it will match the designated area.
Johnson has heard of many instances where a family brings a tree home only to find out that it is too tall or too tight of a fit in the chosen space.
Doing the proper homework ahead of time can eliminate such unwanted surprises.
“Measure before you buy,” Johnson said.
Another question Johnson is often asked pertains to the use of preservatives added to the tree’s water and whether it is a necessary step.
According to Johnson, a study done by North Carolina State University found that there was no benefit from adding preservatives, and in some cases proved to be harmful to the tree.
She is a past president of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association and is part of a fourth generation of Christmas tree farmers in the mountains of North Carolina.
The family has been bringing North Carolina Fraser Firs down to Ponte Vedra for the past five years but has also been in Jacksonville Beach for about 15 years.
