Live tree maintenance and safety

One of the concerns that many people have with live trees is whether or not they are safe to have in your home. On from the year 2002 to 2005, an average of 24 people per year were killed in the United States when their live Christmas tree caught fire. On average every year $13.3 million dollars is lost due to property damage because of a Christmas tree fire. And on average 1 of every 9 reported Christmas tree fires result in death. No one imagines their Christmas tree could be the source of such sorrow until the unfortunate happens to them. Fortunately, these sad statistics can help live Christmas tree lovers to take precautionary steps and hopefully prevent themselves from becoming a victim of a holiday fire. As 64% of Christmas tree fires are caused by some kind of electronic or heating element (i.e. overheated lights, space heaters, etc.), the first step that can be taken to prevent these fires is to make sure that any equipment that you put on or near your tree that has a power source is well maintained or at a proper distance from the tree. Open flames are never safe to have around a tree as they alone account for 15% of home Christmas tree fires. If you are not sure whether or not the lights you are using on your tree are safe, you should only buy lights that have been tested by a laboratory and which have been designed for indoor use. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use the lights. The general rule of thumb when it comes to Christmas tree light safety is that any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. And one last warning that owners of live trees may not realize is that as soon as the tree begins to drop needles, it is an indication that the tree is drying out and dried out trees are highly flammable. Make sure that dried out trees are properly disposed of and not left in a house, garage or propped up against any structure. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, "Well-watered trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be."

Decorating your Christmas tree

Decorating the Christmas tree is a tradition that many families hold dear. Whether you like to decorate your tree with homemade decorations or like to have a more elegant and regal looking tree, these tips are sure to make the job more enjoyable by allowing your tree to stay beautiful longer and for less work.

• Keep your fresh tree watered - Aside from the dangers of havign a dried out tree, you want to make sure that you keep your cut tree watered so that you can benefit from its color and fragrance for as long as possible. A freshly cut tree will start drying out as soon as it is cut so it is important to get it into the water and keep it well watered from the very start.
• Order - Although there is no right or wrong way to decorate a tree, there is some logic behind what order you place your decorations in. When you are decorating your Christmas tree, you will find that it usually works best to first string the lights, then add garland, and hang the ornaments last.
• Hanging lights - Hanging lights on the tree can become a tangled and disorganized mess. Generally this task is done most successfully when you start by stringing the lights on the inside of the tree first and work your way out to the outer branches.
• Ornament suggestions - To add depth to your Christmas tree avoid hanging ornaments on the tips of the branches and instead place them closer to the inside of the tree. If you plan on filling your tree with ornaments keep in mind that it generally takes 20 ornaments to cover every 2 feet of tree. If you are using more themed or collectible ornaments you can reduce the number of ornaments being used to about 10 per 2 feet.

Artificial Christmas trees

Artificial trees are an economical alternative to purchasing a live tree year after year. There has long been a stigma associated with artificial trees that has lead many to believe that they are somehow inferior to the freshly cut tree. While artificial Christmas tree design and construction has had to come a long way, nowadays you can purchase artificial trees that very much resemble the real thing. One of the most significant changes that have been made to improve the look of the artificial Christmas tree is to increase the number of tree "tips." Eliminating the possibility of being able to see the center pole of an artificial tree significantly improves the perceived realism of that tree. The stand is another feature that you should pay careful attention to if you are in the market for an artificial tree. Metal stands with rubber feet are more sturdy (and thus safer) than plastic or cheap metal stands. As you shop around for an artificial Christmas tree it is best to do so in person so that you can get a close-up view of the branches for yourself. If you cannot tell in person that an artificial tree is in fact artificial, you may consider saving yourself a lot of money (and mess) in the long run by buying a re-usable artificial tree.

Environmental issues

Environmentalists debate as to whether artificial or real trees are better for the natural environment. The argument against artificial trees is that they are usually made out of non-biodegradable materials and some trees have a warning that dust or leaves from the tree should not be eaten or inhaled. On the other end of the argument real trees are used only for a short time, but can be recycled and used as mulch. But in nature real trees help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, once they are cut down they no longer serve this much needed function. Even crops of evergreens specifically grown for use during the Christmas season may not interfere as much with wildlife but in many cases the management of Christmas tree crops involves the use of pesticides and makes for a poor natural habitat. And so it is up to the individual consumer to weigh the different issues and decide which decision best agrees with their beliefs and budget.