12 Tree Tips of Christmas | The Nature Conservancy

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The 12 Tree Tips of Christmas

Everything you need to know about finding and caring for the perfect Christmas tree.

A closeup of a Christmas tree at the "Festival of Trees" in Idaho Falls, ID. sociotard/Flickr via a Creative Commons license

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Montana Christmas tree event, outside Missoula. Photo © TNC

Where Father Christmas Meets Mother Nature

We're giving Christmas trees to children's charities.

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Frank Lowenstein visits a Christmas tree farm to talk about the importance of going au naturel during the holidays. TNC

Christmas Tree Debate: Real vs. Fake

Our expert weighs in.

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Get a real tree, not an artificial one. Real trees are better for the environment, better for the economy, and smell wonderful.
Cut your own tree from a nearby National forest or state land, if possible. Permits are usually inexpensive, and it can be a fun family tradition. If you're lucky, maybe you live near one of the top five Nature Conservancy preserves where you can take your family to get a Christmas tree.
Get two permits or buy two trees, and donate your extra tree to a local charity, youth home, or non-profit. Make sure to call ahead to find out if they can use it, and what height tree they’d need.
When buying a real tree from a vendor, make sure they are reputable local dealers. They should have a business license and be able to tell you exactly where their trees came from. Fly-by-night operators are less likely to comply with state or federal regulations.
Real trees should be healthy—a good tree will have perky bright green needles and springy soft branches.
Live trees will travel best if gently wrapped in a reusable tarp or placed in a large burlap bag. Make sure to tie the tree to your vehicle firmly to prevent broken branches.
Christmas trees with root balls rarely survive being transplanted in the dead of winter. Stick with a cut, local, tree for your holiday display—and use the money you save to buy a healthier sapling in springtime!
Make homemade and inexpensive garlands, wreaths, and table arrangements from Christmas tree cuttings and other local materials. Re-use!
When creating homemade decorations, take care not to use invasive species like Asian bittersweet.
A simple bowl of pine cones can make a free, fragrant, and gorgeous centerpiece. Collect your cones locally and intersperse a few dry cinnamon sticks to make a fresh, aromatic display.
Dispose of small holiday greenery in the trash, or at a municipal compost facility. Don’t throw them out in a brush pile or your home compost—they could contain weed seeds or foreign bugs that can infest the trees around your house.
Recycle your Christmas tree whenever possible. Many areas now offer a post-Christmas curbside pickup, and the trees are typically chipped or ground to use in mulch. Look for information specific to your area in your local newspaper.