Buying a real Christmas tree this season? Here's how to pick and care for one

Christmas is coming up fast, and you’re thinking about presents, house decorations and putting up a tree. What’s your tree plan this year?

Lugging home a Christmas tree and decorating it in the living room is a family tradition for many of us. Whether it’s real or artificial, Christmas trees are the centerpieces of the holiday.

Though artificial trees remain popular, more families have become interested in fresh Christmas trees in recent years, a shift powered by "young families wanting a memorable experience for their children and a desire for a product that's recyclable and biodegradable," according to the Retail Christmas Tree Board, a promotional organization for tree growers.

Holiday hazard: Keep safety in mind while decorating for Christmas.

The tree size and shape will be different from last year. But what won't change is the fragrance of the tree, the aroma that evokes memories of holidays gone by. Scent is the top reason people decide to buy a real tree, the board says.

Here are a few quick tips if you're getting a real tree this Christmas.

What type of Christmas tree should you get?

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There are nearly two dozen species of trees that can be used for Christmas, the Real Christmas Tree Board says. Your choice may be influenced on what is available near you.

Where should you get your Christmas tree?

Pre-cut trees are commonly offered for sale in parking lots of retail centers. Some of these are operated by charity organizations.

You can cut your own tree at a local Christmas tree farm, which grows and sells trees like crops. Buying from a farm supports local tree farmers, who plant 1 to 3 seedlings for every tree sold, which helps maintain healthy forests, according to the Nature Conservancy.

Garden centers, local retailers and home improvement centers are also good sources for a Christmas tree, the Real Christmas Tree Board says. Nearly all retail locations will bale trees, making it easier for you to get it home, the board says.

If you're looking to find a tree farm, a farm locater is available from the National Christmas Tree Association, a promotional organization.

What should you look for in a Christmas tree?

First, measure the space where the tree will be displayed, both ceiling height and width of the area, says Bert Cregg, associate professor and extension specialist of horticulture and forestry at Michigan State University. You don't want to buy a tree, get it home, and find out it's too tall for the room.

Use the simple "pull test" to see if the tree is fresh. Pull firmly on a branch or two to see if any needles come off in your hand, Cregg says. If they do, the tree is too dry.

Where in the house should you set up your Christmas tree?

If your tree is baled, keep it that way until you get it inside. It's easier to handle that way. Once in the tree stand, remove the netting and fluff the branches.

Your tree stand should be wide and sturdy, the Real Christmas Tree Board says. It should also have a water reservoir large enough to keep your tree watered. "A tree can drink about a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter," the board says.

The board has stand recommendations here.

Keep the tree away from heating vents, which can dry it out quickly. It's best to use electrical outlets that are close by and limit use of extension cords.

How should you decorate your Christmas tree?

The choice of Christmas tree decorations is a matter of personal preference. You can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

If you're using electric lights, make sure they are in good shape. Lights with old wires or other deterioration should not be used.

LED Christmas lights produce less heat than the small incandescent bulbs your grandparents used, but they cost more than traditional lights. Make sure all the lights work before installing them.

How should you care for your Christmas tree?

How long should your Christmas tree stay up?

With proper maintenance, live trees can stay up for about five weeks, according to Country Living.

Check the water level in the base and top up as needed to prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. When the needles start turning brown, it’s time for disposal.

How should you dispose of your Christmas tree?

Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, the National Christmas Tree Organization stresses. That means they can be recycled as mulch, or as habitat projects.

Check with your community department of public works to see if it offers curbside tree pickup or a place where you can drop a tree off. Make sure you've removed all decorations from the tree before disposing of it.

SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Real Christmas Tree Board; Reuters; treetowne.com; Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association; American Christmas Tree Association; Michigan State University