Skip to main content

Pining for a real Christmas tree? Here’s how to pick the perfect one

recycle your christmas tree
Whether you call it a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush, there’s something about having some fresh greenery in your home this time of year. If you prefer living to artificial, we’ve got some tips for picking a tree that will last until you recycle or compost it after the holidays.

Do your research

Fir, pine, spruce, cypress, and cedar are among the most popular types of Christmas trees, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA); most of those branch off into more specific types, like the Douglas fir, the Scotch pine, and the Arizona Cypress. Each one has its unique characteristics; balsam firs’ needles are long-lasting, while Scotch pines resist drying, and Fraser firs smell fantastic.

There’s an app for that

Because of course there is. The Doug Fir Christmas Tree Guide for Android gives the history and biology of the top 10 Christmas trees in America. (The information is also available on the website, laid out in a handy chart so you can see that while the Colorado blue spruce has the stiffest branches (good for holding weighty decorations), it’s pretty prickly and doesn’t retain its needles well.

Christmas tree shopping
(Image © Lori Sparkia via Shutterstock.com)

Find a farm (or grab an ax)

The NCTA has a useful tree farm and lot locator. It lists the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of tree sellers in your area, so you can give them a call to make sure they have your favorite tree on hand. If you’re intrepid, own the equipment, and live near a wooded area, you can check with the USDA’s Forest Service website to make sure you’re actually allowed to chop down your local forest’s trees. KTUU has some rules and regulations you need to follow if you’re looking for a free tree.

Buy online

If you have your heart set on a balsam fir but live south of Virginia, you might want to try your luck online. Some sites are dedicated just to Christmas trees and wreaths, but you can buy a live Christmas tree from somewhere like Home Depot.

Measure for measure

Measure the height of your ceiling, and don’t forget to take into account the inches your tree stand and star will add. That way you can find a tree that’s the right height, avoiding a Clark Griswold situation.

Christmas tree shopping
(Image © Quanthem via Shutterstock.com)

Timing is everything

Lots of trees will stay fresh and fragrant for three to four weeks, so now that Thanksgiving is over, feel free to find your foliage.

Put it to the test

Once you get to the farm, look for cues that the tree is fresh. Gently pulling a branch toward your shouldn’t cause the needles to detach; if that happens, move on to another tree.  “If the tree doesn’t smell enough, don’t buy it,” says This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.

Consider a Festivus pole

If the thought of vacuuming up a pile of needles for the next few weeks doesn’t appeal to you, or you’re afraid of how your cat will react, you can always boycott the commercialism with a Festivus pole.

Editors' Recommendations

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Amazon will bring a 7-foot-tall Christmas tree to your doorstep starting today
amazon selling live christmas trees sony dsc

You likely have fond memories of searching row after row of trees to find the perfect one to cut down and bring home during the holidays. Well, Amazon wants to literally cut into that market and insert itself into your annual routine. Starting today, the company will start sending out real, 7-foot-tall Christmas trees that will ship directly to you.

The trees are available now on Amazon's massive marketplace. Buyers will be able to decide between Douglas firs, Norfolk Island pines, and a variety of other choices. Prices on the trees, grown by local growers in North Carolina and Michigan, may vary based on size and type. ABC News reported the trees will range from $20 for a Charlie Brown-like tiny tree to $110 for a full-sized one.

Read more
Here’s how to hack an Ikea lamp and transform it into a mixed-reality projector
ikea lamp mixed reality lantern hero thumbnail

Android Things - Lantern

Do you have access to an Ikea lamp, a 3D printer, a few electronics components, and a bit of free time? If so, you could hack together a pretty awesome creation -- a nifty user interface projector that’s bound to enliven any home. Combining a lamp, laser projector, and Google’s Internet of Things software platform, Android Things, the smart “Lantern” projector can be used to create a range of augmented UI elements. For example, you could use it to create an augmented clock where your appointments are overlaid around a real-world clock. And that’s just for starters!

Read more
Hosting an Oscar’s party? Here’s how to add some terrific tech touches
oscar party ideas 51900495 l

The Academy Awards start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and that means there’s still time for you to put together a viewing party, if you’re so inclined. Stock up on champagne, get your evening wear pressed, do some quick housecleaning, prep some snacks, and -- OK, it’s actually quite a bit of work. Are you sure you want to do this? If so, here are some techy ideas to add some glitz to your event.
Make it a party
Text and Facebook both work for invites, but you can also use Paperless Post or Punchbowl for something a bit more formal. And what’s more formal than the Oscars?
Set to stream
The Oscars are airing on ABC, but if you don’t even get the basic networks on TV, you can stream them on ABC's website or by using the network's official mobile app and a login address from a cable provider. If you haven’t seen many of the nominated films, there are quite a few available to watch on Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes, including Hell or High Water, Moonlight, and Arrival.
Ask Alexa

In terms of of predictions, Amazon’s Alexa can give you her views on who will win Best Actress, Best Director, and so on. She had to flip a coin to choose between Denzel Washington and Casey Affleck, however, just in case you’re curious. The virtual assistant can also run through the nominees for several categories, and if you enable the Ultimate Hollywood Trivia Skill, Alexa will ask five questions in a row.
Get competitive
There’s also the official Oscar's challenge you can sign up for, or you can scour Pinterest for bingo cards. Vanity Fair has a printable ballot, as well. If you need a little help, there’s supposedly an AI-backed pick you can turn to when it comes to Best Picture.
Give a swag bag
The company that gives out unaffiliated Oscar swag bags is notorious for the six-figure price tags on its loot. This year’s haul has a few tech items, from vaporizers to smart-home systems. If you can’t afford to give luxury vacations to your guests, just stick to candy, popcorn, and a ballot.
Famous food

Read more