'Tis the season to buy a Christmas tree. According to the Real Christmas Tree Board (RCTB), real Christmas trees are grown in every U.S. state, and the largest Christmas tree-producing states (Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan) range from east to west and north to south.
As for when people buy their tree, the RCTB shares these stats:
- "Pre-Season Achievers" (before Thanksgiving) – 14%
- "Black Friday Checklisters" (during the weekend after Thanksgiving) – 33%
- "Seasonal Purists" (first week of December) – 33%
- "Mid-Decemberists" (second week of December) – 16%
- "Treecrastinators" (third week of December) – 3%
- "Christmas Eve Traditionalists" (on Christmas Eve) – 1%
How To Get Your Tree Home Safely
If you’re planning among the millions of Americans who will buy a live tree this year, these safety tips for you. They'll help you get it safely on top of your vehicle and home securely. All it takes is the right vehicle and the right tools so it doesn't fall off and become dangerous road debris which could cause an accident.
The American Automobile Association provides these safety tips when it comes to getting your tree home safely:
1. Use The Right Vehicle
AAA recommends transport a Christmas tree on top of a vehicle equipped with a roof rack. If you use the bed of a pickup truck, make sure you don’t just toss it in the back, but also secure it properly in the truck bed. You can also use a larger vehicle like an SUV, van or minivan that can fit the tree inside with all doors closed. (Make sure you take measurements of your cargo space before picking out your tree to ensure it will fit.)
2. Bring the Right Tie Downs
Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree to your vehicle’s roof rack. Avoid the lightweight twine offered by many tree lots.
3. Protect The Tree
Once you’ve found the perfect tree, have the lot wrap it in netting before loading it. Loose branches can also be secured with rope or twine to help protect the tree from damage.
4. Protect Your Vehicle Roof
Prior to loading the tree, cover the roof with an old blanket to prevent scratches to the paint and protect the car from any damage.
5. Position Trunk Facing The Car's Front End
Place the tree on the roof rack or in the bed of the truck with the trunk facing the front of the car. If the vehicle does not have a roof rack and is a SUV, CUV, van or minivan – place the tree inside. If not, rent or borrow a pickup truck, a vehicle with a roof rack or one that is large enough to accommodate the tree inside.
6. Tie It Down Securely
Secure the tree at its bottom, center and top using strong rope or nylon ratchet straps. Avoid using the twine offered by many tree lots. Use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop the rope or strap around the tree trunk above a branch to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement.
7. Give It The Tug Test
Once tied down, give the tree several strong tugs from various angles to make sure it is secured in place and will not come loose.
8. Drive Slowly and Carefully
Drive slowly, taking the back roads if you can. Higher speeds can create significant airflow that can damage your tree or challenge even the best tie-down methods.
Volkswagen Tip: Spot-check and clean the vehicle.
Once the tree if off your roof, VW suggests checking your vehicle for tree sap both inside and out. Clean any sap or tree residue off your vehicle right away with a clean cloth and a bug and tar remover. VW offers more tips below:
Photo: AAA.