Christmas Trees

fuzzles

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Who here gets real trees every year? I have never had one and my parents have NEVER had a real tree but I'm thinking about getting one for the first time this year. I wouldn't put ornaments on it because I know my cat will have a field day with them, but I was curious if I could get one next week or shortly after Thanksgiving and it still be in good condition until I discard it at the end of December? What kind of things would I need for it and what special care would I have to give it? Is there a certain type of tree you would recommend? Also, how much do they usually cost. I don't want but maybe a 6 footer or so. Sorry for all the questions!
 

going nova

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I only ever had a real tree when I was a very little girl. We have a pseudotree that we bought a year ago.
 
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fuzzles

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I have a fake tree but it's silver, and my sister always gets real trees every year for the past few years and her house always smells good to me. It smells like the Christmas tree LOL. We usually celebrate Christmas over there.
 

capt_jordi

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Real tree ALWAYS. I am not a fan of fake trees but thats just me. And this year we are going to a tree farm to chop down our own
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Fuzzles

Also, how much do they usually cost.
It depends on where you buy the tree and the type, stores likely raise the price a bit. I remember my parents spending $30-45 several years ago.

Here's a Texas farm's price list from last year http://www.kelumac.com/Christmas Trees.htm Checking other farms' price lists shows the same, $30-60 depending on type.
 

valanhb

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We usually have a fake tree, but last year I gave in to my husband's wishes to get a real tree. We were really scared with the kitties, but they were really good!
No one climbed it even once!
Of course, I think we're still finding the needles (one of the reasons I like the faux trees) from last year.
 

clixpix

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Fake tree all the way here! So much less upkeep!
You want the smell of a real tree? Burn a pine candle. That's my theory anyway!
 

spudsmom

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Originally Posted by Fuzzles

Who here gets real trees every year? I have never had one and my parents have NEVER had a real tree but I'm thinking about getting one for the first time this year. I wouldn't put ornaments on it because I know my cat will have a field day with them, but I was curious if I could get one next week or shortly after Thanksgiving and it still be in good condition until I discard it at the end of December? What kind of things would I need for it and what special care would I have to give it? Is there a certain type of tree you would recommend? Also, how much do they usually cost. I don't want but maybe a 6 footer or so. Sorry for all the questions!
HELLO!!!!!!!!!! My DH works for the largest Christmas Tree farm in Oregon.
Holiday Tree Farms.
They ship all over the US and other countries. They ship to Target, Walmart, Home Depot and others. Texas is a big market for them. If you want to go green a real tree is the way to go. It's a crop here...they don't go out into the woods and chop down trees at random. You can not beat the smell of a real tree. I've gone out to the yard recently to pick up my DH from work and I roll down my windows and SNIFF...AHHH! The best tree to get is a Noble...it's sturdy, just remember to cut off and inch or two before putting it into the tree stand full of water. PM me if you want to know more.
 

cococat

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As a kid we used to go out, pick a tree and cut the tree to bring home. We had land
I love that real tree smell, just get a stand and keep it filled with water. Get a tree shirt too.
 

emrldsky

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DH and I found a tree farm not far from our town, and we go there, pick one out, and cut it down ourselves.

What's really nice is that the first Sunday in December, the Newfoundland Rescue group comes in with the dogs and the dogs (for a tip) will cart your tree for you!

It's really a great day to go, and DH and I have found out that it's a great tradition for us. This will be our third year going on Newfoundland Rescue day.
 

tierre0

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I had real trees the whole time I was growing simply because I was raised in Rural Ontario, if you wanted a Christmas tree you went out in the back field and cut one down.

When I moved to the town I live in now I started using artificial trees because it was just easier..

We always got spruce because they seem to last longer then then pine or balsam. They also have round branches that make it easier to attach ornaments to. They are more picky then then the others so your cats aren't as likely to climb on them. Also they have a stronger fragrance.

Pine is also pretty but the needles start falling really quickly and balsam trees leak sap all over the place.

Other then a very secure tree stand all you really will need is maybe some twine to secure it. Then just the ornaments.
 

pushylady

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The smell of a real tree is wonderful!
I've always thought it was a huge waste to chop down trees just for Christmas, then throw them out afterward. These days there are a lot of tree schemes that make good use of the trees when people get rid of them.

Just remember that pine needles can hurt little paws, and don't put anything like aspirin or fertilizer in the tree water!
 

catloverin_ks

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I remember always having one as a child, but not since then
I just told DH the other day I really want a REAL tree this year!!! I know they are alot of upkeep but they are sooo pretty and smell good
 

gardenandcats

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I have always had a real tree never a fake one. Here in Maine as a kid we always just went out and the woods and cut one.. Now we go to a Xmas tree farm and pick and cut one. We pay usually $30.00 or $35.00 dpending on the size..
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by Fuzzles

Who here gets real trees every year? I have never had one and my parents have NEVER had a real tree but I'm thinking about getting one for the first time this year. I wouldn't put ornaments on it because I know my cat will have a field day with them, but I was curious if I could get one next week or shortly after Thanksgiving and it still be in good condition until I discard it at the end of December? What kind of things would I need for it and what special care would I have to give it? Is there a certain type of tree you would recommend? Also, how much do they usually cost. I don't want but maybe a 6 footer or so. Sorry for all the questions!
Honestly, I think getting one next week would be much too early. Your tree would not last very well until the end of December. For a real tree you would need a good sturdy pail to put it in (or special holder you can probably buy), I would recommend you tie it up to prevent it falling over, you will need to water it daily and be prepared to be picking up fir needles well into next summer.


When we had real trees on the farm we usually put them up about 1 week before Christmas and took them down on New Year's Day and even then the needles were shedding like crazy.
 

Ms. Freya

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I've had real trees my whole life (expect for the two Christmases we were in the apartment where they didn't allow them) I used to go out to the tree farm with my parents to find our tree. Now DH and I make a morning of it. I love it as a tradition (and a joke since we always pick the one that's the furthest from our car.
)

I love the smell of a real tree. We've always gotten spruce and we tend to get it about 1-1.5 weeks before Christmas, then keep it up into January. As long as you keep it watered, it can usually hold it's needles for quite a while. Just make sure you have a good heavy-duty tree stand because them can be alot heavier than you originally suspected.
 

rockcat

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We have had all kinds of trees. As a young child we had real trees. One year my husband and I had a rosemary bush shaped as a Christmas tree (decorated with mini ornaments and wine glass decorations), a lemon tree that we were giving as a gift
, and now a fake tree that already has the lights on it.

Our tree is very special though. All of the ornaments on it were handmade by my Grandmother, who passed on Sept 22 of this year. I miss her very much and will always remember what she said when she gave me something she made: "This is so you have something to remember me by when I'm gone."
 

pami

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Originally Posted by clixpix

Fake tree all the way here! So much less upkeep!
You want the smell of a real tree? Burn a pine candle. That's my theory anyway!

Thats my theory, too! When I was growing up, we always had a real tree. OMG there were needles left over for months! We were constantly cleaning the needles.

One year, the day before Christmas, my Father bought this fake Christmas tree, completely decorated with all the ornament, from a department store, for this ridiculous price, like 90% off, from that year forward, my family has always had a fake tree and burn candle for any smell you want in the house
 

jcat

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Up until a few years ago, we always got potted Christmas trees, used them for a few years, and then planted them in the yard. After 2+ decades of tending,carrying, planting them, etc., DH went on strike, so I went out and bought a small artificial tree. It's a lot less hassle.
 
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