What are signs of a fresh Christmas tree?

Well,

Tomorrow (Saturday) im planning on getting a real Christmas tree. I would like to know some tips on how to see while im at the tree farm if a tree is fresh or not. I know that if the tree is green, it's usually fresh, and I know that if you run your hand through the tree, and there are no pine needles, it's also fresh. Any other ways to tell? I will grant 10 points to whoever can support me with at least 6 ways to tell.



-Thanks so much-

What are signs of a fresh Christmas tree?1. Look for green needles



2. Thump the stump of the tree down onto the ground and see if a lot of needles fall off--if so, pass the tree up because it means that it's needles are dry.



3. Grab a branch at the middle of the tree firmly and then pull your hand towards you--do a lot of needles fall off in your hand? Then the tree is too dry. Pass it up for another one.



4. Look at how the tree is kept at the tree farm? Are you going for a tree that you're going to cut down? Does the ground around the tree look damp as though it's recently been watered? If you're going for a pre-cut tree, same question and/or are the trees in a basin of water?



5. Ask the owner of the tree farm when the trees were cut. If it's been quite some time since cut time, you know that you're going to get a drier tree.



6. Not really a way to TELL if it's a fresh tree, but, rather, a way to KEEP it a healthy tree....when you purchased your lovely tree, make sure to ask for the base of the trunk to be cut off and then, when you get the tree home, immediately place it in a basin of hot water. By cutting off the bottom of the stump, you expose it to fresh tree--meaning that the bottom isn't dried out to the point that water can't be sucked up to nourish the tree. It's the same concept as cutting off the bottom of flowers when you purchase them so that they stay fresh longer. I've been told that the hot water helps keep the bottom of the tree stump "open" / fresher longer so that more water can get up to the tree properly. It's always worked for our tree! :)



7. A safe tree is a healthy tree. Make sure, if you can afford to, to have your tree fire-proofed. There is a special spray that they can spray onto your tree so that, if it somehow catches on fire, it won't burn as quickly and there's a greater chance that you'll be able to put it out before it catches the rest of your house on fire. Kind of melts the tree instead of torching it.



8. Sounds obvious, but make sure that there are no "critters" (vermin) living inside of your tree. You always hear news reports of people who purchased a Christmas tree, only to get it home, decorate it and have some little woodland creature come crawling out of it.



9. If you really want to see that the tree is healthy, bring a little pocket knife with you (if the owners will allow it) and scrape back a little portion of a branch. Is the inside green and dewy? Or is it white and taught? You want to look for an inside that's green and dewy to make sure you're getting a fresh tree. You can also do this by snapping a branch piece in half and looking inside.



10. That "snap" factor is also a key to look for in a tree...when you snap a branch, does it make a loud "snap" sound and is it pretty easy to snap? Then you know that you're dealing with a dry tree. Look for branches that "bow" a little bit when you snap them and you'll know that you have a healthier tree.



I hope that this helps! :)! Best wishes and Merry Christmas!!! :)!What are signs of a fresh Christmas tree?Whatever type of tree you choose, here are some tips to make selecting it easier:



Know how tall your ceiling is before you set off shopping.



Determine where the tree will be displayed. If it will be on view from all sides, you'll want a symmetrical trees. If it's going up against a wall, you can get by with a less than perfect side on your tree.



Don't be embarrassed to take a tape measure or a pole with you as a gage. It's much more embarrassing to have a lopped off Christmas tree. A 6-10' plant stake marked at 1' intervals makes an excellent light-weight gage.



If you are going to be walking through a tree farm to cut your own, bring some pieces of bright ribbon or string to mark possible choices as you look around. Remember to remove them when you've made your selection.



Look for a tree with a straight base, about 6-8 inches long so you can make a fresh cut and still have room to fit it into your stand.



Bring your own saw or shovel and a cord or rope to tie the tree to your vehicle.



i know that this is not what you were looking for but I hope that it helps.