Christmas is just around the corner, and many people are already putting decorations on their Christmas trees.
Not to fear. Here are some of the best places in Pasadena that are selling Christmas trees, as well as some tips on how to take care of them.
Pasadena Christmas Trees, 900 N. Lake Ave., is open to serve all Christmas tree needs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. up to Dec. 25. For more information, call (626) 622-4893 or visit www.pasadenachristmastrees.com.
Santa and Mikey’s Fresh Christmas Trees, 259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave., is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. up to Christmas Eve. Call (626) 205-0112 for more information, or visit their website, www.santaandmikey.com.
Tahoe Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Lots, 1141 Mission St., South Pasadena, has Christmas trees arriving fresh daily up to Dec. 24. They’re open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with an assortment of noble firs, Douglas and grand firs available for pick-up and delivery. Call (626) 238-4463 or visit www.tahoescottys.com.
Other tree lots nearby:
Whittier Christmas Trees, 11760 Whittier Blvd. in Whittier, is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. up to Dec. 24. Visit www.whittierchristmastree.com for more information, or call (562) 677-6405.
Mount Eagle Christmas Tree Lot, 4160 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, offers tree customization and is able to deliver as well. Visit www.mounteagletrees.com or call (323) 312-5646.
Advent Pines, 122 Live Oak Ave., Arcadia, is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and up to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call (626) 423-8908 for more information.
And while preparing to buy and decorate your Christmas tree, here are some reminders on selecting different types of trees, caring for them and making sure you are safe around your tree.
Let’s just assume you’re buying a real tree instead of an artificial plastic tree that’s not very friendly to the environment and isn’t as attractive as a real tree. By buying a real tree, you help the many tree farmers who are definitely positively affecting the environment.
You also help support the livelihood of more than 100,000 people who work either full- or part-time at these tree farms.
Throughout the United States, about 350 million conifer trees are growing on Christmas tree farms and helping to stabilize the soil, protect water supplies and support complex ecosystems.
As you set out to buy your tree, make sure to select the freshest tree possible. They’re less likely to catch fire and wouldn’t be shedding needles too soon. Look for a tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches.
After buying a tree, keep it in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage to protect it from the wind and sun until it’s ready to be brought indoors. To keep the tree looking fresh, keep its trunk immersed in a bucket of water so that sap from the tree does not form over the cut stump and block the trees ability to absorb water.
If possible, turn down the thermostat, or close or partly close the room’s heat vents. This prevents the tree from drying out too fast. For the same reason, locate the tree away from heat vents, fireplaces, radiators and windows that get direct sunlight. You may also want to go so far as using a humidifier to keep the air moist in the room where the tree is.
Always place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Make sure all indoor and outdoor Christmas lights are low-energy, and have been tested by a safety testing lab. Throw out any damaged lights.
Keep all holiday candles away from the tree, surrounding furniture and décor. And definitely, bedtime means lights off! Don’t forget to turn off Christmas tree lights each night.
Finally, keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure everyone knows its location and how to use it.
