How to Pick a Christmas Tree: Advice from the woodcutter’s daughter

Thinking back about trees and the meaning of the holidays, a warm, fuzzy feeling comes over me. I am a woodcutter’s daughter, and trees have a special meaning and purpose in our lives. During the busy hustle and bustle of the holiday season we forget the true meaning of the Christmas tree. A Christmas tree symbolizes hope, life, and renewal. 

My father worked as a carpenter, building houses, and skyscrapers. He also grew a Christmas tree farm. When he had extra time, while raising 4 children, he would bring us into his woodshop. Here, I learned about the rings of a tree which determined the tree’s age. He taught us how to understand different types of trees and which trees were used for lathing and building various projects like decks, candle sticks, or furniture. He made me a see-saw on my 6th birthday, which I will never forget. But the strongest memory I have is how big our Christmas tree was every year! 

What type of tree did we use to get? He said we used to get Douglas fur, and once we got a blue spruce, but my mother and sister were allergic to the pine needles. We always had Goo Gone under our bathroom sink to remove sap from our hands. Sap is a natural resin that protects the tree by sealing wounds and defending against germs, fungi, and insects, an inevitable partner of every tree. 

How tall were the trees? He said, it depends on how high your ceilings are. We had a two-story dining room, so we would get a 10- or 12-foot tree. He would use a stand that held water, and drill a hole into the bottom of the trunk and stuff cotton up inside, to help the tree hold water. When a tree is cut, sap quickly hardens over the cut end, forming a seal that prevents water absorption. The seal can form within a few hours. To ensure a freshly cut tree can drink water, you make a new cut to open the seal before placing it in the stand. 

Types of Christmas Trees:

Fraser fir — named for John Fraser (1750-1811), a Scottish botanist who explored the southern Appalachian Mountains in the late 18th century. Needles are ½- to-1-inch long, have a broad circular base, and are usually dark green on the upper surface and lighter on the lower surface. A Fraser fir smells like a classic, fresh pine with woody, citrusy, and sometimes balsamic undertones.

Canaan fir — Named for its native localities in the Canaan Valley in West Virginia, the Canaan fir is characterized by a pleasant smell of sweet and spicy. Needles are ¾-to-1 ½-inch long and exhibit a beautiful, deep green color, while some needles take on a bluish-green color with silvery shades on the underside. The body of the tree features dense branches that take on a pyramidal shape, coming to an apex with the long tip at its crown.

Douglas fir — is the most popular type of Christmas tree. The needles are dark green or blue-green, 1 to 1 ½ inches long, soft to touch, and radiate out in all directions from the branch. Douglas fir needles have a sweet fragrance when crushed.

Blue spruce — popular for its symmetrical form and attractive blue foliage. Colorado blue spruce is an attractive tree often used as a Christmas tree, mostly in eastern US and Europe. Needles are 1 ½ inches long on the lower branches and shorter on the upper branches. Needles are 4-sided and have a very sharp point on the end. Blue spruce have a strong, fresh, crisp pine smell with a hint of citrus.

Concolor fir — known for its unique white fir. The needles are 1 to 2 inches long and have a tint of blue and a citrus aroma. 

Norway spruce — known as the traditional Christmas tree, with dark green needles and drooping branchlets. Norway Spruce has a dark green crown with a triangular shape. Needles are four-sided, rectangular in section, ½ to 1 inch, and are sharp and blunt at the tip. The Norway spruce has rectangular needles and cones that hang down on the stem, which appears to be drooping or hanging downwards. They have a rich, sweet smell. 

Balsam fir — known for its classic conical shape, flat, dark green needles, and two whitish-gray bands on the underside, which give it a silvery appearance. Needles are typically ¾ to 1 ½ inches long and have a smooth surface. Balsam fir has a strong, pleasant, sweet, natural pine fragrance. The branches are soft and flexible, making it ideal for moderate-sized ornaments. 

Noble fir — is another popular Christmas tree, known for its blue-green silvery needles. It has strong layered branches which hold heavy ornaments well. The branches are arranged so that they twist upward, revealing its white stomata on the underside. The mildly pleasant evergreen scent is often described as aromatic and festive.

How can you tell if a tree is ready for cutting? According to the RI Tree Growers Association (RITGA), Christmas trees in RI are a $6 million business. They are a critical part of the state’s agricultural business, and some local farms have been growing trees for over 50 years. Here are some RITGA Tips on Picking a Christmas Tree:

• Make sure you measure the space you’re putting the tree in and have room to dress it. Measure the ceiling height and clearance width in the room where you will place the tree.
• Know the maximum trunk diameter for your stand. Bring a tape measure when you go to pick out your tree.
• Pick out what kind of tree you want, being sure to match the tree to the room dimensions.
• Choose a tree with shorter needles. Some tree farms will shake out the tree to remove any dead needles.
• Look at the spaces between branches and pick out a fresh tree. If it’s pre-cut, shake or stomp the tree on the ground, if too many needles fall out, pick another one. 
• Keep the tree away from space heaters, stoves, fireplaces, etc.
• Make a new cut at the bottom before putting it in the stand. Cut a ½-inch wood chip from the bottom of the tree trunk to help the uptake of water by the tree.
• Secure the tree to a solid base.
• Water, water, water! Fill the water stand daily to maintain tree freshness and encourage needle retention.
• Make sure you pick a suitable tree stand. Look for one that holds a lot of water. You’ll spend less time filling the stand with water. If you have a tall, wide room, pick a tree stand for the large tree you choose. A small stand works well if you’re putting your tree on a table. Finally, get an easily adjustable stand so you can level the tree.
• When Christmas is over, don’t throw the tree away. Recycle it! Check your town’s website to see how to do that. Above all, don’t burn your tree or the branches. That could present a fire hazard. EHSO.com provides information on recycling trees.
• To find local Christmas tree farm, you can visit the RITCGA’s website: richristmastrees.com. 
• Contact the RITree council for information on tree care: www.ritree.org. RITree conducts tree identification and care workshops throughout the year. 

Best method for cutting a tree? A hand saw is best used for cutting the tree. Most Christmas tree farms do not allow chainsaws for customer safety. Using a handsaw or axe also helps to avoid potential damage to the crops. Check with your local farm for specific rules ahead of time.

Local to RI tree farms:

• Rossi’s Tree Farm, Cranston
• Lockwood Christmas Tree Farm, Greenville
• Big John Layden’s Tree Farm, West Greenwich
• Pachet Brook Farm, Tiverton
• Nagetuck Farms, Tiverton
• Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm, Tiverton
• Butterfly Farm, Lincoln
• Riverside Farm, Charlestown
• Olsen’s Christmas Tree Farm, Voluntown, CT
• Hartikka Tree Farm, Voluntown, CT
• Miller’s Family Farm, North Attleborough, MA