Home Depot's Tips On Christmas Tree Selection and Care.

Business Editors

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2000

'Tis the season to deck the halls and pick the perfect Christmas tree.

But finding a tree every family member will agree on can be a challenge. With tree prices ranging from $27 to $50, The Home Depot(R) has Christmas trees for every family.

According to Home Depot garden specialists, anyone with a keen eye and a sharp nose can select a tree. This years trees come in all different shapes and sizes. Families can choose either a traditional cut tree or a live tree, ranging from six to nine feet in height.

Traditional Cut Trees

When a tree catches your eye, give it the freshness test. First, look for a green color. Then, pull a few needles, shake the tree, and inspect the limbs. The needles should not pull off or shake off easily. The needles should also be flexible, moist, sticky, and fragrant when crushed. Limbs should be strong enough to support lights and spaced to lend visual balance.

When the perfect tree has been selected, a Home Depot garden specialist will cut the end of the trunk to promote water absorption and prolong the beauty and life of the tree. Once at home, place the tree in a bucket of water and store in a cool place. Before decorating, place the tree in a sturdy, water-reservoir stand. Give the tree one quart of water daily as long as it's drinking. Inexpensive products such as tree preservatives and protective coatings can extend the life of a cut tree to four to five weeks.

Live Trees

Live trees are sold with the root ball intact and are contained by a pot or burlap wrapping. These trees will provide year-round beauty when properly cared for. The Home Depot offers species such as Alberta spruce, Colorado spruce, Ilex holly, Blue cypress and Leyland cypress in pots, from $11 to $68.

Before bringing the live tree inside the home, it should be stored in a shaded area or garage. It is important to keep the soil moist in the root ball or pot. Lift the tree by the ball or pot, not the top. Keep the tree in the house no longer than one week then move it outside for permanent planting. After choosing the perfect location for your live Christmas tree, dig the tree's hole, remove the pot or wrapping and plant it. The tree should be staked for its first year.

For a safe holiday season, keep all trees away from heat sources and discard worn tree lights. New sets are inexpensive and salvaging old lights is not worth the risk. Home Depot garden specialists recommend using spray-on flame retardant. Dried out trees are fire hazards and should be discarded. After all, the holidays can't last forever.

Editor's Note: Home Depot tree experts are available for interviews on Christmas tree selection and care. To arrange for an interview, call us toll-free at 877/261-6222 any time.