How to tell a Christmas tree is fresh

At a cut-your-own farm freshness is guaranteed: the clock starts when the saw goes through the trunk. At a pre-cut lot you are buying a tree with an unknown harvest date, so test it. Three checks take under a minute.

1. The needle pull test

Grip the end of a branch between thumb and forefinger and pull gently toward yourself. A fresh tree holds onto all its needles. If green needles come off in your hand, walk away. Needles should also bend, not snap: Penn State looks for "flexible needles that remain firmly attached".

2. The shake test

Lift the tree a few inches and knock the base on the ground, or shake it. Watch what falls. Brown needles from the interior are normal, every tree sheds old inner growth. Green needles from the outer branches are not normal. That tree is already dry.

3. Color and touch

• Fresh trees keep their natural deep color. A dry tree shows a pale gray-green or yellow-green cast.
• Fresh foliage feels cool to the touch and slightly waxy, not dusty.
• Branches should be limber. Brittle twigs mean the tree has been off water for a while.

Questions worth asking at a pre-cut lot

• When were these trees harvested?
• Were they stored in shade and cool, or on hot asphalt?
• Will you make a fresh cut on the trunk before loading?

If the seller cannot answer the first question, assume the trees traveled far and shop somewhere that can. Better yet, find a cut-your-own farm near you.

Sources: Michigan State University Extension · NC State Extension · Penn State Extension