The holiday season is right around the corner. Can you believe it?! There are so many joys that come during this time of year, including the annual tradition of picking a Christmas tree. Be more prepared than ever for this year’s selection process with these tips from realchristmastrees.org.
Tree Types
Noble Fir
A generally symmetrical tree with needles that turn upward, exposing the lower branches.
Benefits:
- Good for heavy ornaments
- Lasts through the season
- Great for fresh wreaths and garland
Balsam Fir
Dark green in color, with a wide bottom half that culminates in a spiral-like tip.
Benefits:
- Long-lasting needles
- Attractive form
- Dark-green coloring
Douglas Fir
Soft, dark-green or blue-green needles, with spread-out branches.
Benefits:
- Needles spread out in all directions giving lots of space to place ornaments
- Needles have a sweet fragrance when crushed
- This tree is available almost everywhere including Hawaii, Guam and some Asian countries
Fraser Fir
A uniformly shaped pyramid tree with dark blue-green needles.
Benefits:
- Good form
- Good needle retention
- Pleasant scent
Scotch Pine
Bright green colored tree with a thick trunk and excellent retention rate.
Benefits:
- Needles don’t fall, even when dry
- Remains fresh for an extended period of time
- Stiff branches good for all kinds of decorations, specifically heavy ornaments
Tree Care & Safety
Tree Stand
- The best way to display your tree is in a reservoir-type tree stand.
- The outer layers of the wood are best at absorbing water, so don’t cut them off! Instead, make sure you have a stand that fits your tree.
- Cut off a ½-inch of the base of the tree before putting it in the stand. This exposes a fresh part of the tree and will help with water absorption.
Watering
- Place the tree in water as soon as possible.
- There should be 1 quart of water in the stand per inch of the stem diameter.
- Check the water daily and fill if the water level is below the base of the tree.
Removal
- When the tree is dry, it is time to remove it from your home.
- Take note of local tree recycling programs.
- Do not burn trees in a fireplace!
General Safety
- Keep trees away from major sources of heat like fireplaces and heating vents.
- Use lights on your tree that are low heat. Not only does this help to prevent fires, it helps minimize the drying of the tree.
- Always turn off the lights on the tree before leaving the house or going to bed.
Where to Buy in Berks
(just a few suggestions…)
Beck Tree Farms
48 Beck Tree Rd., Hamburg
610.334.2040 | becktreefarms.com
Charlie Brown Tree Farm
287 Mine Lane, Oley
610.689.4158 | charliebrowntreefarm.com
Cobblestone Farms
1540 Alleghenyville Rd., Mohnton
610.775.7590 | cobblestonefarms.biz
DeLong Christmas Tree Farm
Corner of Gouglersville & Blimline roads, Sinking Spring
610.401.0173
Gaul Road Christmas Tree Farm
11 Gaul Rd., Sinking Spring
484.824.5131
Geissler Tree Farms
1051 Cross Keys Rd., Leesport
610.926.4264 | geisslerstreefarm.com
Motta’s Landscaping
7090 Ben Franklin Hwy., Birdsboro
610.582.7200 | mottaslandscaping.com
Penn Ridge Nursery & Landscape
34 Penn Ridge Dr., Bernville
610.926.4620
Plow Farms
4339 Morgantown Rd., Mohnton
610.856.7740
Reinhart’s Yule Tree Farm
326 Oak Ln., Bernville
610.488.6850
Spring Garden Farms
1585 Main St. (Rt. 724), Birdsboro
610.582.8703 | springgardenfarms.biz
Texter Mountain Pines
1090 Texter Mountain Rd., Robesonia
717.484.2245 or 610.589.5030 | textermtpines.com
Werley’s Tree Farm
9388 Loghouse Rd., Kempton
610.285.6268
