On the hunt for that perfect Christmas tree? Here are some tips

Christmas trees went on sale last week in the Czech Republic. But for those who want to get out early for the best selection, it's important to keep that tree healthy and looking good before putting it up.

When choosing a tree, it's important to focus not only on aesthetic aspects like a nice even shape, height, or great color, but if it looks healthy. Often times, during transport, trees can be damaged which may not show at first glance, but can often times, show up later after you get it home. That's why it is important to look for broken branches, faded color and to make sure needles don't fall off when you touch it.

According to experienced Christmas tree sellers, for several years now, the most popular trees have been the Nordmann fir, usually imported from Danish tree farms since they are not native to the Czech Republic. Trees from these farms are usually grown organically, without chemical treatment.

Generally, there are five types of trees you will find on sale at lots around the country. The Association of Christmas Tree Growers (Sdružení pěstitelů vánočních stromků) publish average prices each year, size and thickness of the needles can alter the price.

Trees purchased in advance should be stored in a cool, dark place. Cellars or garages are well suited for this. Keep it in a bucket of water at all times so it doesn’t dry out and keeps its nice green color.

Those who cannot store the tree in a cool and dark place should buy it as close to Christmas day as possible.

The difficult situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has caused sellers to import trees in stages.

Christmas trees are specially grown for Christmas use, so the harvesting of them does not devastate forests, according to producers. On the contrary, as they grow over their relatively short lifespan, they produce large amounts of oxygen and thus contribute to a cleaner environment.

Because the trees on these farms are not chemically treated, the soil remains good and does not pollute the groundwater. Producers say that buying a cut tree is not necessarily environmentally unfriendly. On the contrary, if the trees were not grown for Christmas sales, no one would have probably planted so many trees to begin with. With replanting on farms over and over again, these areas produce oxygen continuously.

Renting a tree from a company like pujcovnastromku.cz is ideal for those who would like a live tree but do not have a balcony or garden put it in after the holidays. With this service, just choose a tree from the website, pay, and leave the rest to them.

The company will deliver the tree to your living room and take it back again after the holidays. Usually you can keep it for up to 14 days, because it would not last longer in the heat. Prices start at CZK 700. These trees are usually transplanted into pots at the end of each summer. Customers can then rent it for Christmas and after returning it, some remain in pots for the next season, while others are planted back in the countryside.

The forestry department of the city of Prague (Lesy hl. m. Prahy) launched their annual sale of potted Christmas firs back in November, allowing Praguers the opportunity to choose a tree that will flourish well beyond the festive season.

They say these white fir seedlings definitely do not look like the 'perfect' traditional Christmas tree, in size or shape, but they have one huge advantage - they are trees grown directly in the countryside and are intended to be replanted back there after the holidays, so they don't end up in the trash after Christmas.

This year, the organization is offering up a total of 2,000 fir trees for their annual Christmas fir sale (500 fir trees from the production of their own forest nursery in Čimický háj). You can keep the tree and plant it in your garden next spring, or directly in the countryside. Lesy hl. m. Prahy has planned a spring planting on March 28, 2021 in the Kunratice Forest, for all who want to return their Christmas trees to the countryside.