A Carolina touch: Everything to know about Christmas trees this holiday season
With Halloween well behind us and Thanksgiving right around the corner, you might be wondering, when is the right time to put away the turkey decorations and put up a Christmas tree?
North Carolina is among the Christmas tree capitols of the world, with only Oregon producing more every year. From the classic Firs to the popular Pines, more than 26,000 acres of trees are in production across the Tar Heel State, raking in over $67 million in 2019.
But there's no need to fret about which tree to buy or how to care for it. Here's everything you need to know about getting a live Christmas tree this year.
Picking the right tree
According to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, the Fraser Fir represents over 94% of all species grown in the state, and is the most popular tree throughout North America. It's known for its long lasting scent, pliable branches conducive to ornaments, and soft-to-the-touch needles.
While some species do remain fresher longer than others, with the proper care most any Christmas tree can last for weeks indoors.
How to care for your Christmas tree
The number one key to a long lasting tree, according to the N.C. Cooperative Extension, is hydration. The group recommends putting trees in stands that hold at least 1 gallon of water and maintaining water levels at 1-2 inches daily.
Dousing the leaves in crushed ice or misting them with a spray bottle daily can also help keep your tree fresh throughout the holidays.
To help avoid your from tree drying out keep the leaves away from heat vents and direct sunlight, and if possible, use LED, low-temperature lights and avoid heat producing incandescent bulbs found in older decorations. Keeping you home a little cooler than usual will also help slow down the drying and dying process.
Where to get one
In addition to chain stores selling trees such as Home Depot, Walmart and Lowe's, there are several local lots to choose from in the Wilmington area.
Barr Evergreens, a third-generation farm in western N.C., is hosting a tree lot open everyday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2715 Shipyard Blvd.
The First Baptist Church Student Ministry Tree Lot at the FBC Activity Center on 1939 Independence Blvd. will be open starting Nov. 19 through Dec. 4. The lot will open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
The Mayfaire tree lot at 981 Town Center Drive opens Nov. 20 through Dec. 18 with proceeds benefiting the Cape Fear Optimist Club, who will be on hand to help customers trim and load up their tree. The lot is open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and Thanksgiving Day.
Those looking for a more adventurous tree-picking experience can check the directory at N.C. Farm Fresh website to find farther away chose-and-cut farms or the N.C. Christmas Tree website for more retail lots.
Wilmington's World's Largest Living Tree
For decades, Wilmington was home to what was locally dubbed the World's Largest Living Tree. Standing at over 75 feet tall and 210 feet wide, the massive oak tree was adorned with an estimated 750 lights when it was first lit in 1928 in what used to be Hilton Park in Wilmington's Northside.
More:Christmas in Wilmington: Stories of holidays past in photos
The spectacle attracted thousands every year -- save for a few during WWII when it wasn't lit --and festivities regularly included church choirs and of course appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves.
But by 2012, the estimated-300-year-old tree was shrinking in size due to its declining health and was lit for its last time. It was eventually brought down over safety concerns in 2015. A new oak was planted at Legion Stadium to one day replace the iconic Christmas tree as a focal point of the Port City's holiday spirit.
Reporter John Orona can be reached at 910-343-2327 or jorona@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: everything you need to know about buying a live Christmas tree
