Noah Johnson Daily Press Manager Matthew Willette inspects trees at Teal’s Tree Farms with the assistance of operation’s mascot, Bear.

ESCANABA — Christmas is less than 20 days away, and picking the right tree (if you still need to) is key to a memorable holiday season.

According to the Michigan Christmas Tree Association (MCTA), the first written record of a decorated Christmas tree was from Riga, Latvia, in 1510.

“Men of the local merchant’s guild decorated a tree with artificial roses, danced around it in the marketplace, and then set fire to it. The rose was used for many years and is considered to be a symbol for the Virgin Mary,” according to the MCTA.

Today, approximately 30 million real Christmas trees are sold yearly in the United States, most of which are sourced from tree farms and/or plantations.

There are various tree species, including Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Virginia Pine, and Concolor Fir and many more.

Folks searching for the perfect tree at tree farms and lots are likely to find numerous varieties to choose from, each with their own unique look and characteristics.

MCTA Executive Director Amy Start said taking the family to a local tree farm is the perfect holiday experience.

“If you are looking to make memories with your family, what better way to do that? You know, if you’re going down in your basement, you’re dragging up your dusty old artificial tree; they don’t make holiday movies, and Hallmark shows about that — no, you need to go the Christmas tree farm,” Start said.

It’s understandable that some people choose an artificial tree. They are reusable; some even come pre-lit, saving individuals time for other holiday activities.

However, the experience of getting a tree from a farm, loading it up, and carefully placing it in the home can be a cherished holiday memory. She also said it’s a nice break from a world where anything and everything can be shipped right to your door.

“It’s nice to see where things are coming from. These are generational farms – many of them are – so it’s great to see that things are grown in the ground and people work hard for them and (people should) support Michigan farming,” Start said.

“Plus, it’s a great family to experience.”

Before heading out into the wilds with an axe or saw ready to pick the year’s tree, ensure you have an area where the tree can fit comfortably at home. Start recommends measuring the space planned for the tree before picking one out, as they tend to appear smaller than they actually are.

“Trees look a lot smaller out in nature than they do when you put them in your living room. So, to avoid that Chevy Chase moment where you cut the strings, and it pops open, and all of the sudden you’ve got a 10-foot tree in an eight-foot room, it doesn’t work. So, measure first. That way, you know it’s going to fit,” she said.

At Teal’s Tree Farms in Bark River, owner Joe Teal has been selling trees since 1975. He first started selling on the highway before moving to his current location in 1989.

Foreman/Manager Matthew Willette said the location has 120 acres of trees plus 80 more acres not far from the farm.

He said popular tree species this year are the Fraser Fir and Nova Scotia Fir, among others.

“We sell anything from little tabletop, two-foot trees to 16-foot trees,” Willette said.

There are plenty of options at Teals. You can go out into the tree farm and find your own unique tree, or you can take your pick from pre-cut trees at the front of the property. Each tree is different, so it’s essential to look at multiple options to see which fits your style and, of course, your home.

In addition to the trees, Teal’s also sells wreaths and has a gift shop full of festive items to decorate your home and/or your new tree.

Picking a tree is subjective, so it’s hard for experts in the field to say which species or trees, in general, are the ‘right one’ or the ‘best one.’

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Willette said.

“I go out there, and I cut trees that I think are gorgeous, and then somebody else comes in, and they go to and cut a tree, and it’s like man, I wouldn’t put that thing in the woods, but that’s because everybody’s opinions different.”

Start recommends inspecting the entire tree when picking it out, ensuring no holes, and shaking the tree to ensure the needles aren’t too loose. If you have heavier ornaments, be sure to check the strength of the branches to ensure they can hold the weight of those more oversized ornaments. Once it’s home, it must be cared for by watering it daily.

“When you get it home, you’re going to want to make sure to water it,” Start said.

Willette echoed Start, saying monitoring the water is vital to maintaining the tree’s health.

“When you first put it in your house in the heat, once they (trees) realize they’re in there, they’ll suck up water quite fast. I always tell everybody to make it a habit; I know it changes your daily routine, but either in the morning, first thing, water that tree, or before you go to bed, water that tree. Do it religiously,” he said.

If you have curious pets, it is recommended that you check the water level more frequently, as the four-legged friends tend to drink out of the basin.

As Start said, picking a tree should be a fun family experience.

“We try to keep it affordable for families. We realized that with kids, it’s hard; there’s extra costs. Christmas is expensive enough, so you know, we try to keep our trees reasonable and affordable and just try to make that pleasant family experience,” Willette said.

If you make it out to Teal’s, be sure to say hi to Bear, the property’s dog and mascot.

Teal’s Tree Farms is open seven days a week and is located at 4260 D Road in Bark River. You can follow Teal’s Facebook page at Teal’s Tree Farms.

To learn more about the history of the Christmas tree, different species and other resources, visit mcta.org.