Start Planning Now for the Perfect Real Christmas Tree
It’s time to start planning where you’ll get your Christmas tree this year, because live trees will be harder to find than you might think.
You probably already know where your Thanksgiving turkey is coming from, but do you know for sure where your Christmas tree will come from? With fewer farms and stores offering live trees, and more first-time buyers choosing real over artificial, it’s smart to plan ahead—especially if you want a taller tree.
The 9- and 10-foot beauties are always the first to go. The best selection is usually the weekend before and after Thanksgiving, so mark those dates now if that’s the size you’re after.
Why Real Trees Are Worth It
You can’t beat the scent of a real Christmas tree. That fresh evergreen fragrance fills your home with warmth and nostalgia, creating the same cozy feeling you get from your favorite holiday movie.
There’s even science behind it. Compounds called terpenes and monoterpenes—found in the resin of real Christmas trees—help create that relaxing, peaceful feeling you get when walking through a forest. A fake plastic tree can’t do that, no matter how pretty it looks out of the box.
How to Plan Your Tree Shopping Trip
A little preparation makes all the difference when choosing the right tree. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Measure Your Space
Before leaving home, measure the spot where your tree will go. Know your ceiling height, available width, and remember to leave room for that favorite star or angel that goes on top.
If possible, place your tree away from direct sunlight, such as near a corner instead of right in front of a window. Sunlight can cause the tree to dry out faster.
At Hemingway Hill in Terrell, Texas, we always have measuring tapes available so you can double-check before making your final choice.
And don’t forget your tree stand. If it’s missing or too small, we carry high-quality stands made by a Texas-based company and offer them wholesale to our Christmas tree customers.
2. Bring the Right Vehicle
The bigger, the better. If you have roof brackets, bring them along. We provide rope and wrap every tree in protective mesh before loading it on your car. Not every tree lot offers this kind of service, but we believe the little details make the difference.
3. Shop Early in the Season
The Christmas tree season at Hemingway Hill begins the weekend before Thanksgiving, and early shoppers always get the best selection. With fewer farms across the country growing live trees this year, demand is expected to rise.
If you’re looking for a 9- or 10-foot tree—or even larger—consider preordering. Larger trees require special transport, and we often begin filling those requests in late October and early November. If you’d like to learn more, email us at hello@hemingwayhill.com and we’ll be happy to help.
4. Know What to Look For When Buying
Wherever you buy your tree, check that the trees are in water and shaded from the sun. Trees that have been sitting out dry will start losing needles before you even get them home. Run your hand gently along a branch. If needles fall off easily or feel brittle, that tree isn’t fresh.
At Hemingway Hill, all our trees arrive freshly cut from the fields of Washington, iced for their three-day journey, and set up in our shaded barn and tent area. Each tree sits in its own red bucket of water, so it stays as fresh as the day it was harvested.
How to Keep Your Tree Fresh All Season
With many families decorating earlier each year, it’s more important than ever to care for your tree properly. Here are three simple ways to keep it looking beautiful through Christmas:
- Get a fresh cut before taking your tree home. This helps it stay hydrated and reduces needle loss.
- Keep the water level full during the first week. Once your tree settles in, it will start drinking less.
- Use a tree preservative. At Hemingway Hill, we include Oregon’s top-rated Christmas tree preservative with every purchase at no additional cost.
Make Your Plans Early This Season
Christmas always seems to arrive faster than we expect, and this year will be no different. If you’re thinking about getting a real tree, start planning now—especially if you want a larger one.
To learn more about preordering or to plan your visit to our farm in Terrell, Texas, just a short drive from Dallas, visit hemingwayhill.com.
We look forward to helping you find your perfect Christmas tree this season.