There is nothing quite like the look and smell of a real Christmas tree!  And searching for that perfect real Christmas tree can be a truly unique and fun family experience. 

Celebrating with a fresh real tree may be an annual tradition for your family or it can be a new tradition that provides a natural, eco-friendly choice.  

Many thanks to The Northeast Ohio Christmas Tree Growers for sharing these tips. Visit their website to learn more about the benefits of a real Christmas tree, how to care for a fresh cut tree and to find a farm near you!

Live Trees are Good for the Environment

In addition to the incredible look, smell, and feel of a real Christmas tree (and the fun of choosing one!) real Christmas trees are the most environmentally friendly choice as well.

Real trees are grown on farms just like any other agricultural crop. To ensure a constant supply, tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. While these trees are growing they absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen.  Plus, Christmas tree farms help to stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife, all while creating scenic green vistas.  

Choosing a Local Christmas Tree Farm

Northeast Ohio is home to many local Christmas tree farms with something for everyone, offering a wide selection of fir, pine and spruce trees, as well as everything you need for a great outing – saws, sleds, twine, and of course great customer service.  

Each farm is a little different, so be sure to check hours of operation, varieties, and heights of trees available, and if you need to bring anything along with you before you head out. Check out our list of Christmas Tree Farms in Northeast Ohio to find a farm to visit this year.

Make it a Memorable Family Experience

Local Christmas tree farms also offer unique opportunities to make your visit memorable – for example, gift shops, refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides or s’mores over a fire. Some farms are pet friendly too, but be sure to check ahead of time before bringing them along. 

Caring for Your Live Christmas Tree

Caring for a real Christmas tree is simple.

• First, be sure to choose a stand that holds plenty of water and is appropriate for the size of your tree. 
• The tree should have a fresh cut on the bottom before putting it in water. If you are not putting it up the day it was cut, be sure to make a fresh cut, about 1/2 inch off the trunk, before putting it in the stand.
• Check the water level daily – a freshly cut tree will take up a lot of water! 
• Keep trees away from fireplaces, heaters, furnace vents or other major sources of heat, which may dry them out.
• If properly taken care of, a fresh tree should last throughout the Christmas season.

Be Sure to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Finally, when the Christmas season has ended be sure to recycle your real tree.  Artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in foreign factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled through local community recycling programs, or even just by taking it into your own woods for the wildlife to enjoy for years to come! Check out our list of local places to recycle your Christmas Tree to find a location near you.