Before you buy a Christmas tree, you need to think about where in your house you plan to display your tree. Be sure you think not only about how high the tree can be, but how wide as well. You'll want to avoid placing your tree near fireplaces and the television because the heat tends to dry up the tree so it will not last as long.

The best time to shop for your Christmas tree to make sure you get the best one is in mid November. Of course, the most common and popular time to pick out a tree is two to three weeks before Christmas. If you want a fresh tree, you should shop in a reputable farm or a nice tree lot. Pick out the best tree that you can afford.

When shopping, consider:

? Quality

? Look

? Freshness

If you want to know if the tree is still fresh, grab a branch and pull it towards you. If only a few needles fall off (five to ten), you have found yourself a healthy tree. A strong fragrance is another way you can tell if a tree is fresh.

The three most popular types of Christmas trees are Scotch pine has long needles that tend to stay on the branch for a good long time.

Short needle trees have needles that are silver on one side and green on the other.Balsam fir has short needles and a strong sweet scent that everyone loves.

After freshness, the next thing to look for in your tree is a good, uniform shape, without huge gaps between the branches. Also you need to check that the tree you are considering is not leaning on one side. Choose a tree with a firm and solid base.

Once you have chosen the perfect Christmas tree for your home, make sure that you transport it safely. You must protect it from the wind by placing it in a van or truck if you can. If not, tie it securely (top to the front of the vehicle) to the top of the car. When you get it home, don't forget to water your tree so that it will last longer and stay fresher.

If you are looking for an artificial tree, you still need to think about the height of the tree. Bigger trees cost a lot and they contain lots branches and twigs so you'll need a lot of ornaments to hang in the branches.