So which type of tree reflects your holiday-style? Do you get a fresh cut, artificial or container-grown? Or do you just go out-of-town and let someone else do the decorating? All are certainly acceptable but there are different rules that apply to each. The news coming out of the live-cut Christmas tree industry is that there are no major shortages of trees and prices remain stable compared to the previous 5 years. Fraser firs are the most popular, most coming to Kentuckiana from North Carolina where the state has about 39,000 acres planted in Fraser firs destined for the Christmas tree market.

When choosing a fresh cut tree use your sense of smell and touch: fresh trees will be more fragrant, and the needles will be flexible yet firm. Certainly, consider the type of tree because the needles of a white pine will be softer than that of a Fraser fir. Also check the freshness by bouncing the butt of the trunk on the ground a couple of times to see how many needles actually fall from the tree. A few green and brown needles are normal.

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