Christmas is on its way, and whether you plan on buying one from a farm, off of a lot, or on the internet, you only have a few weeks left to grab your tree. Many homes in the nation’s community associations will take part in this holiday tradition, which dates hundreds of years. If you don’t have your tree picked out yet, don’t panic. We have compiled a few pointers to help you find a good tree and keep it healthy right up to Christmas Day.
- Grab the right tree. Over 30 different species of trees are marketed as Christmas trees during the holidays. Many look the same at first glance, but each one has unique characteristics. As a rule of thumb, fir trees make good Christmas trees because they retain moisture well, meaning they tend to lose less needles than many other types. Spruce trees, on the other hand, aren’t known for this quality and aren’t as well-suited for the job. The good news? What is probably the best species to use as a Christmas tree also happens to be one of the easiest to find: the Frasier Fir.
- Shop in-person. While shopping online is a preferred method of many consumers, picking out a Christmas tree is a decision that’s better made in person. Not only is it more fun, but Christmas trees are a rare example of a product that’s almost always more expensive when purchased on the internet (they usually run over $100). The reason for this is that most trees ordered online are cut to order. Because of this, they are prone to last longer than trees that are purchased from a lot, which are sometimes cut weeks before being sold. You can still get a fresh tree in person by examining and asking a question or two:
- You can check the condition of trees by bending their branches. If the branches seem brittle and easily break when they’re bent, the tree has lost too much moisture. Pine needles that crush in your hand are also signs of a tree that’s too dehydrated. If you’re not sure, just ask how long the tree has been cut.
- Many tree lots charge by the size of the tree. For example, a six-foot tree is one price, while a seven-foot tree is more. If you buy a tree that’s too big, not only will you have to trim it down to size, you will have paid more money than you needed to. That’s why it’s a good idea to measure the height and width of the space you have available. Once you know how much tree you need, you can really shop around by calling different farms and lots to get a price on that size. Most vendors will negotiate on prices with you. The closer it gets to Christmas, the better your chances of working out a great deal on a tree!
- Water it right away. To keep your tree looking its best until Christmas Day, try and put it in a tree stand with water as soon as you can. If you aren’t able to get it to water within roughly the first hour of cutting it, sap will start to accumulate on the base of the tree. This can make it difficult for water to pass through, but it isn’t the end of the world. Simply scrape the sap from off of the base with a blade to allow the tree to draw water. It’s been reported that a freshly-cut tree can consume as much as a gallon of water within the first hour in the base. Also, forgetting to keep water in the base of the tree stand is a major cause of “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Syndrome” so try to water your tree consistently.
- Keep your cool. Keeping your Christmas tree away from heat sources like vents and fireplaces will decrease your risk of fire and help to keep your tree hydrated.
If you put the work into completing each of these suggestions, you should be able to enjoy an excellent tree and keep it looking great throughout the holiday season. In much the same way, an experienced HOA manager will have the knowledge and dedication to keep your community thriving. If you are unsatisfied with the level of service you’re receiving from your current management company, or if you’ve grown tired of the stress of self-managing, we invite you to search our comprehensive directory of professionals. All of the companies listed on HOA Management (.com) have been proven by years of hard work and dedication to their residents. In either case, we hope you have a happy holidays!
This article is provided by HOA Management (.com).