Christmas tree - Real or not; what kind and how much?

RCW

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There was a thread 4 years ago. Figured I'd start a new one.

Been hearing there might be a shortage of real trees due to economic crash of 2008/2009. Many guys didn't plant those years.

I have no issue with artificial trees - - it what works for you.

Some folks don't do a tree and that's okay too.

Tree species and costs vary by region.

Real tree..... I'm a forester by education, so I'd be hypocritical if I didn't have a real one. :)

Preferred species - Fraser fir. Got a Canaan fir from same local producer last several years. Tree was grown 6 miles away, and cut in last couple weeks.

Cost - $45 for one this year. Ours are on the small side. Typical has been $35-40. Maybe an indication of market. I gave the guy a $50 bill and wished him a Merry Christmas.
 

Roadworthy

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I got tired of the decorating / undecorating. We have a small tree in a box in the garage ready to go. At season's end the whole thing goes back into the box for the year. No more decorations to pack and care for. Everything is on the tree. The decision wasn't financial it was hassle reduction.
 

mdhughes

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We got out in our woods and cut down a cedar tree (10' or so). We started using cedars when we first got married, didn't have the money to buy a tree and my mother-in-law had small cedars around a field that she owned. Now that we have our own land, we just cut them off ours.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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I think real Xmas trees or artificial trees are fine whatever works for you. ;)

For Us we just leave the trees growing on our property, if I want to see a tree I just look out a window. :D
 

hope to float

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Bahhh Humbug I say
I'm afraid I'm the same, or worse. :D
There is a tradition here called "The Wren Boys" It happens on 26th of Dec where the kids dress up and go around to the houses singing and playing tunes. I try to be in the pub when they call :D
 

bearbait

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After 43 years of marriage we (she) decided to get an artificial tree this year.
 

Bmyers

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We have a small artificial tree. We use to have a large tree, but when the wife's mother passed, we got her little tree. So, we have used the tree since her passing.
 

greeno

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Real tree. 12’ tall. Made me mad to pay $120, the demand for overgrown trees is pretty low!

Took two men to bring it in the house. Had to put the angel on before lifting it otherwise there was no chance.

Full Griswold is the only way to go.


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PHPaul

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We're older than dirt, been married forever and no kids at home. Therefore this is our only Christmas decoration and it goes up the day before and back in the box the day after.

We only do that to shut the wife's sister up...
 

SidecarFlip

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Small fake tree here too. With 10 felines in the house, a real tree and ornaments would last maybe 5 minutes.

We do light up the outside of the house and barns though, multiple strings of lights going to the top of the grain tank that looks like a huge Christmas tree at night and Santa and his Sleigh and reindeer riding across the peak of the barn. Fences are lit up too. Nice when they came out with LED bulbs and lots cheaper to illuminate too.

I like Christmas and I like it when it's over too, especially the after sales.
 

dlundblad

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Holy smokes. It takes 10 years to grow a Christmas tree? I figured they were some sort of fast growing hybrids.

We have a little 3 foot fake tree. Just got married this year and this tree was given to us by a lady that was downsizing. Free is good.

I would like to get real.. love the way they make the house smell.. just not sure what the cat would do. She is fascinated enough by the 3 footer.
 

Lil Foot

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Multiple fake trees. 9ft green in the formal living room, 6ft white in the breakfast nook. My wife collects high end, blown glass ornaments, so we need at least two trees to keep her happy. She could probably decorate 6 trees if she got them all out. Big one was $300+, small one was $30.
We used to get real trees, but after doing lots of demos of how dried out trees burn, we bought fakes.
 

SidecarFlip

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Multiple fake trees. 9ft green in the formal living room, 6ft white in the breakfast nook. My wife collects high end, blown glass ornaments, so we need at least two trees to keep her happy. She could probably decorate 6 trees if she got them all out. Big one was $300+, small one was $30.
We used to get real trees, but after doing lots of demos of how dried out trees burn, we bought fakes.
Consider yourself lucky. My wife collects Swarovski Crystal.:D
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Holy smokes. It takes 10 years to grow a Christmas tree? I figured they were some sort of fast growing hybrids.

We have a little 3 foot fake tree. Just got married this year and this tree was given to us by a lady that was downsizing. Free is good.

I would like to get real.. love the way they make the house smell.. just not sure what the cat would do. She is fascinated enough by the 3 footer.
Get a real wreath, all the smell and very little of the real tree issues.

I cut off low branches and downed Cedars, spruces and pines and bring them in just to smell up the house all the time, my wife loves the smell!
 

SidecarFlip

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Thanks Sean.
In addition to ornaments, (and other things) my wife (and I :D) collect pre 1939 Czechoslovakian perfumes. A tiny sample:
I'll be sure not to let my wife see your post.... very nice.:)