When to buy a real Christmas tree?

This is only my second time buying a real tree and I don't remember when we did it last year. I want it to last just past New Years so I don't want to buy it too early.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

i think you can get one about one to two weeks before but the sooner you get one, the sooner you need to toss it. just remember...water, water, water!!! and let it fall before you decorate it.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

Most of them have been cut a long time before they get to the store... if you can get a you choose it tree then cut it down December 1st would be ok as long as you water it daily.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

you can get one 3 weeks before too.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

my family is so crazy we usually get it like on Dec 23rd lol

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

wow thats cutting it close robin.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

We are going to New Hampshire the first weekend of December to cut ours down. We usually get ours every year around that time. The key is to give it lots of water.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

We just planned our 'day' for Dec. 5th.
We go out east and cut it down, then usually go to lunch with the family

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

we've planned to go on December 5th as well - we go to Connecticut, chop it down, and drag it back....
i can't wait!!!

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

Last year's was the very best tree we ever had. It lasted past New Year's and we bought it from Home Depot the week-end just after Thanksgiving. I heard on the radio that they all get cut rather early. The sooner you get it home and take proper care of it the longer it will last. It dries out as it's transported and then left to sit around. Be sure to have a thin slice cut off the bottom of the truck because that scab doesn't allow water to enter the tree. Also, if you can, leave it in a cool garage or in a sheltered part of the backyard in a bucket of water before bringing it indoors. The shock of bringing it into a hot house isn't good either. This year it's still relatively warm, so that may be a good thing.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

I am in florida this year, and my DH wants a real xmas tree... He wants to get it the first weekend in December... Believe it or not they start selling real trees down here on Thanksgiving day!!! I just hope the darn thing stays alive... This will be our first REAL Christmas.. And our first REAL christmas tree!!!!!!

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

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Posted by LImom

Last year's was the very best tree we ever had. It lasted past New Year's and we bought it from Home Depot the week-end just after Thanksgiving. I heard on the radio that they all get cut rather early. The sooner you get it home and take proper care of it the longer it will last. It dries out as it's transported and then left to sit around. Be sure to have a thin slice cut off the bottom of the truck because that scab doesn't allow water to enter the tree. Also, if you can, leave it in a cool garage or in a sheltered part of the backyard in a bucket of water before bringing it indoors. The shock of bringing it into a hot house isn't good either. This year it's still relatively warm, so that may be a good thing.

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I agree 100%!

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

We usually go about 1-2 weeks before Christmas .. depends on our schedules .. and always take our tree down after New Years .. the healthier the tree .. the longer it stays up.

In our experience .. it's not just when you buy your tree .. but where you buy it as well.

One year, we ended up shopping later than we would have preferred .. so the place we normally had gone in recent years didn't have anything that struck our attention .. so we tried a place up the road .. found a bunch of beautiful trees .. however .. many of them were already too 'dry' .. and losing lots of needles when you touched the branches. Well .. we found one that seemed suitable .. but honestly, it was the worst tree in terms of longevity we've ever had.

The difference between the two places .. the place we usually go .. they keep their trees in wet dirt (seemed like they must water everyday .. the other place kept them on covered concrete .. I figured this to be a factor in the difference.

And as already mentioned .. get them to trim some off the bottom of the tree .. I usually have them take about an inch or so .. I also have them take all the branches off along the bottom 10 inches of the trunk .. because of the type of tree stand we have ... and to allow for room under the tree for fitting gifts after the branches settle.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

We buy it 2 weeks before Christmas & take it down on Little Christmas.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

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Posted by Kel

The difference between the two places .. the place we usually go .. they keep their trees in wet dirt (seemed like they must water everyday ..

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Excellent point. Is this place on LI? Would you please tell us the name and where it is? Sounds a lot better than Home Depot.

Thanks.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

Walsh Nursery .. it's on the South-East corner of Deer Park Avenue and the Long Island Expressway.

Here's their website:

Walsh Nursery

To get to their entrance:

At the corner of DPA & LIE .. you need to go 1 short block south on DPA, then make a left at the light .. their entrance & parking will be on the left.

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Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

We're getting our's this weekend! We have to throw it away on 12/20 b/c we're going to NY for Christmas so it will last.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

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Posted by kptoys

Most of them have been cut a long time before they get to the store... if you can get a you choose it tree then cut it down December 1st would be ok as long as you water it daily.

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Exactly...
Some trees are even cut in October thats why they die by Christmas. Actually once its cut its dying everyday but water helps.

We picked and cut ours the first week December last year and it was still healthy and hardly losing needles, til the middle of January.

Re: When to buy a real Christmas tree?

Just wanted to add .. don't forget to add 'Prolong' to the water .. it's a liquid that's sold in a green plastic bottle .. it does what the name says .. prolongs the life of the tree.