It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time in 7 years.	The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.
Christmas Tree Selection
Size is the first thing to consider when getting a Christmas tree. Measure the spot for the tree including width and ceiling height. Remember that several inches will eventually be cut off of the butt end. The stand, on the other hand, may add several inches to the tree's overall height. Several types of Christmas trees are available, including cut trees, potted or balled trees, and artificial trees.
Cut Trees
Cut, live trees are the most common type of Christmas tree. Three options are available to a person wanting a cut Christmas tree ---a pre-cut tree purchased from a dealer, a choose-and-cut tree purchased from a local grower, or a wild-grown native Christmas tree.
Great care needs to be taken in selecting a pre-cut tree. Most pre-cut Christmas trees sold in Nebraska are grown in the Lake States and the Pacific Northwest. This is not necessarily a disadvantage except these trees may be cut as early as August to get to the retailer by Thanksgiving. As soon as a Christmas tree is cut it begins to dry. A tree that has dried will not recover when placed in water and is a fire hazard. Dry trees also tend to lose needles.
Follow these steps to be sure that the tree you are buying is fresh and of high quality.
1. Gently pull on the needles. They should be tightly attached to the twig.Shake the tree vigorously or bounce the butt on the ground. If green needles fall, look further. Dead, brown needles falling from the inner part of the tree may have been shed years ago and are less of a problem.
2. Check to see that the tree has a fresh, green color. Some trees are sprayed with a blue-green dye. This dye is harmless, but be sure it's not hiding a dry tree.
3. Buy early before all the desirable trees have been sold.
4. Fir and pine trees hold needles better than spruce trees.
5. Break a few needles. They should be flexible and will feel moist or possibly sticky. They should also be fragrant when crushed.
6. Be sure limbs are strong enough to support lights and ornaments. Limbs should also be well placed to give the tree a pleasing shape. Minor defects can often be turned toward a wall, however, and can lower the purchase price.
7. Ask the dealer if the tree was locally grown. Local trees are much more likely to be fresh because they are cut nearer Christmas and aren't shipped long distances.
Merry Christmas and have a wonderful and safe New Year!