The Search For A Christmas Tree In Plymouth

The beginning of the Christmas season usually means hunting for the "perfect Christmas tree."

Selecting a tree can be a daunting process, but at the in Plymouth, trained staff are ready to help.

Luke Wittkop, a horticulturist in his third season at Bachman's, offers suggestions for selecting and caring for a Christmas tree.

A premier tree has received the most pruning and shaping during its growing season. Thus, it is more expensive than field run trees.

A field run tree receives slightly less shaping but is still "spruced" up during the growing season.

Types of Christmas trees:

The fraser fir is the most popular and the most expensive, according to Wittkop. The short, soft needles are a deep green with a bluish white tint to the underside. The fraser has a mild fragrance, strong branches, and holds its needles the longest indoors (up to four weeks).

A balsam has short, dark green needles and a strong fragrance. It holds its needles 2-3 weeks indoors.

The white pine has long (3”) soft needles and a mild fragrance. It tends to dry out quickly. They naturally lose their color during the winter so they are often spray painted.

A natural balsam receives no pruning or shaping which gives it a Victorian era appearance.

"The natural balsam is significantly cheaper, and has a thin trunk which makes it a very light tree," Wittkop said. He said the popularity of the natural balsam is growing. Bachman's sold out of this particular tree last year.

The scotch pine has long (3”) stiff green needles, a mild fragrance, and tends to lose its color so they are often spray painted.

The Norway pine has the longest needles (4-6”), a strong fragrance, and also tends to lose its color.

Occasionally customers ask for a "live tree," meaning a tree with a root ball wrapped in burlap. Wittkop said that while people think this is a more environmentally friendly approach to Christmas, it doesn't turn out that way in Minnesota.

"As the weather gets colder, trees go into dormancy and close their breathing spores to retain moisture," Wittkop said. "When the tree is taken indoors, the warm temperatures make the tree think it's spring and they break dormancy to start a new season of growth."

When the tree is taken back outdoors for planting, it is a shock to its system and the tree very often dies. Bachman’s does not offer live trees.

What to look for when picking out a tree: Wittkop says there are a few important things to look for no matter what kind of tree you choose.

1) Heavier trees are better. Lighter trees usually mean the tree has dried out.   

2) Run your hand along the needles. A fresh tree will have few needles fall off when handled. The needles should not feel dry or brittle. 

3) The tree should look green and fresh. Brown branches and dried needles are a sign the tree was cut too early.

Caring for your fresh cut tree: All trees at Bachman's are given a fresh cut before the customer takes the tree home. Trees should be placed in warm (not hot) water within two hours. The warmer temperature loosens the sap, which allows the tree to fill up more quickly.

If the tree will not be placed in water within two hours, it should be stored in a cool place such as a garage and given another cut (at least 1" from the bottom) prior to being brought indoors and put in a water-holding stand.

Within the first 24-48 hours, check the water level in the stand regularly. Trees fill up fastest during this time and can drink a gallon or more a day. If the stump of the tree dries out from lack of water, a fresh cut should be made to allow the tree to drink.

Keep fresh trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces, heat registers, radiators and space heaters.

When a tree needs disposal: Wittkop said fresh cut trees will last up to four weeks once they are brought indoors. When the tree color becomes dull and the needles start dropping more quickly, it is time to dispose of the tree.

Tree delivery service: Bachman’s offers tree delivery, set-up and decorating. Orders can be made through the Plymouth location.