The art of picking the perfect Christmas tree

Picking a tree is serious business for some families.

Whether short and full or tall and sparse, Christmas trees have personalities all their own.

And finding the Christmas tree that’s right for your home may not always be an easy task.

If you haven’t already brought home the best smelling seasonal member of the family, here’s The East County Observer’s guide on how to choose your tree, safety tips and local Christmas tree stops ready to help you perfect the art of picking the perfect Christmas tree.

Douglas Fir
• Cost: A 6-foot douglas fir costs $30 and up.*

• Origin: Central California, western Oregon and Washington, parts of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska

• Height span: This tree type can grow up to 250 feet tall. Local tree tents sell the green giants sized from 5.5 to 7 feet.

• Needles: Dark green or a bluish green and soft. The needles have a sweet fragrance when crushed and stick out in every direction from the branch.

• Fun fact: The douglas fir has been used as a Christmas tree since the 1920s.

Scotch Pine
• Cost: A 6-foot scotch pine costs $35 and up.*

• Origin: Europe and Asia

• Height span: This tree type can grow up to 125 feet tall. Local tree tents sell scotch pines sized from 6 to 9 feet.

• Needles: Strong and sharp. Scotch pine needles are bright green and known for their durability and ability to hold even the heaviest ornaments and lights.

*Prices vary by lot.

Fraser Fir
• Cost: A 6-foot fraser fir costs $35 and up.*

• Origin: North Carolina

• Height span: This tree type can grow up to 80 feet tall. Local tree tents sell fraser firs sized from 6 to 9 feet.

• Needles: Soft and durable. The needles are usually dark green on the upper surface and lighter underneath. Needles on upper twigs tend to curl upward forming a u shape.

• Fun fact: Fraser Firs take seven to 10 years to grow 6 to 7 feet tall.

Care tips
• Keep your tree well watered.

• Check the water every few hours.

• Don’t add aspirin, bleach or other ingredients to the water.

• Use a stand that holds more than one gallon of water.

Where to go
Publix
• 8330 Market St., Lakewood Ranch
Hours: 8 a.m. 9 p.m. Sunday through Monday

• 11205 State Road 70 E., Bradenton
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Monday

The Home Depot
• 5475 University Parkway, Sarasota
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Alpine Trees
• Southwest corner of State Road 64 East and 60th Street Court East, Bradenton
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.