Tips for finding the perfect Christmas tree

It’s beginning to look a lot more like Christmas outside and that means people are starting to get the inside of their homes looking more festive.

For the people who prefer going out and picking out a real tree, the decision can be a tough one.

Rick Van Duyvendyk joined the Greg Morgan Morning Show Thursday to help share some tips for people who are heading out to find their perfect tree.

“When you’re out at the lot, one thing I always look for is if it’s not too cold outside, give the needles a little bend and they shouldn’t snap,” Van Duyvendyk said.

He did note that if it’s really cold out, the needles are going to break no matter what.

He also said he will find three or four trees that are similar in size and then pick the heaviest one.

“The heaviest ones will usually have a lot more moisture content in them. If they’re really, really light that probably means they are very dry and probably won’t last very long.”

But once a person gets them home, how can they ensure it stays alive all the way through Christmas?

“Before you put the tree up, make sure you cut at least an inch-and-a-half  to two inches off the trunk first,” Van Duyvendyk said.

He said the sap would’ve hardened where the cut was made before and it wouldn’t suck water if a fresh cut isn’t made. Once the cut has been made, he said to make sure to use hot water so the tree can suck up the moisture easier.

“That tree is going to try and hydrate itself so it’s going to suck a lot of water up so always check your stand for the first three or four days and keep it full.”