Where Christmas trees come from and how to care for them

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s once again time to decorate the Christmas tree. This year, however, artificial trees are quite expensive due to tariffs, and many people appear to be shifting back toward fresh-cut trees.

Fresh-cut trees offer a great experience. Families go together to the tree lot to pick one out. There is always the debate about which one is best. In my experience, mom usually wins, but once one is chosen, the family takes pictures. And the kids cannot wait to get home and decorate it.

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We often overlook where our cut trees come from. In Utah, most are imported from Oregon and the Idaho Panhandle. The primary species are firs. These trees dominate the market because they thrive in the cool, moist climate of the Pacific Northwest, shape nicely, grow relatively quickly, and have softer needles than other conifers, such as spruce. If you have ever used a blue spruce as an indoor Christmas tree, you will understand what I mean about its stiff, scratchy needles.

Among the fir species, Noble, Grand, and Nordmann fir trees are the most widely sold. Noble fir has evenly spaced, sturdy branches that can hold heavier ornaments, along with an attractive, deep-green color. Grand fir is known for its strong, traditional “Christmas tree” fragrance. And Nordmann fir, a newer option in the United States, is an excellent choice for individuals with allergies because it has very little scent but has beautiful dark green needles.

When you buy a fresh-cut tree, many tree lots prepare the tree for you to take home. They typically remove the temporary stand, trim off lower branches to make room for presents, and make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk so the tree can absorb water more efficiently once it’s placed in your stand. Some will also wrap the tree in a temporary netting or sleeve to make it easier to transport.

Be sure to get the tree into its stand at home and water it as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the cut surface can seal over, and you may need to recut the trunk to restore water uptake. Additionally, do not allow the tree to run out of water. Fresh-cut trees are often especially thirsty during the first few days and may require frequent checks. Also, do not add any potions to the water, such as bleach, sugar or Sprite, to make the tree last longer. They do not work. Bleach is toxic to the tree, and the other two can gum up the conductive tissue. Water is what the tree needs.

After the holidays, recycle your tree at a local green-waste facility. If you are unsure where to take it, contact your city for more information.

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