BROOKSHIRE, TX—
This weekend is the first big Christmas tree shopping weekend, but do you know your pine from a cypress? There are lots of options out there when it comes to live tree buying, including options that are allergy free.We found the Ross family from Washington, Texas in Brookshire buying their first ever live Christmas tree.
"It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, all the trees here are very good," Valerie Ross told us.
"I heard a rumor Santa leaves more presents under a real tree," said Dewberry Tree Farm owner Larry Emerson with a twinkle in his eye.
Emerson says pines are the most traditional, especially in the South. They have that famous Christmas smell, but they are needle shedders.
If Christmas trees had new, cutting edge models, the Arizona Blue Ice tree would be it. Just like the name, the trees have a light blue hue.
The reason I've never had a real live Christmas tree in my house is because of my pesky allergies. If you want the tree that won't supposedly make you sneeze, you need to meet the cypress family - Leyland and Murray.
Leyland cypress trees are top sellers at the Dewberry Farm by five to one. Besides not causing breathing problems for allergy sufferers, they also don't shed needles like the pines. Just don't get all everything is bigger in Texas with your decorations.
"If you get a tree that is all fine like this, you're going to have a little more trouble finding a place to hang a heavy ornament," Emerson said.
To keep your tree looking green, full and healthy after you get it home, the key is lots of water.
"[The] Leyland will stay fresh five to six weeks if you keep it in water," said Emerson.
And keep the tree away from the fire place or heated vents. Christmas trees don't like to be hot. Not to mention they can become fire hazards.
So what tip does the big man in red have when it comes to picking the perfect tree?
"I let the guy who knows about trees get it for me," Santa Claus told us.
Well, we do know he is busy with the presents and all.
Expect to pay $50 to $95 on average for a tree. Those prices are determined by factors like fullness and height. And while many tree farms don't usually drop prices closer to Christmas, tree lots usually will. So waiting can bring the price down.
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