Things to examine when choosing a Christmas tree – skipping one means tree 'is a goner'

When picking the right Christmas tree, it’s all about the senses – smell and touch. There are four things you should consider when picking out the right festive tree to make your home jovial this holiday.

You’ll want to test the branches. Grab any branch on the tree and gently pull it towards yourself. If a bunch of needles are left in your hand, the tree is well beyond its prime.

Crush the needles in your hand and then see what they smell like. “If the tree doesn’t smell enough, don’t buy it,” says This Old House.

Conduct a bounce test as well. Bounce the tree by holding it a few inches above the ground and dropping it. If the needles on the outside fall off, you can bet your tree is no good. On the other hand, needles falling off the inside of the tree is standard.

You have to ensure that the tree’s trunk fits your stand. Trimming the diameter of the tree by cutting away the bark will strip the tree of its cambium layer, which soaks up water. If this happens your “tree is a goner.”

READ MORE: 'We hate our town's skinny Christmas tree - it looks like a beanstalk'

While you ensure that your Christmas tree is good to go, it’s pertinent that you read up on the best way to safely transport it home.

It’s possible for your Christmas tree to fall from your vehicle when you are bringing it home.

Using a car’s roof rack is believed to be the most convenient and reliable technique for getting a Christmas tree home.

A roof rack also lifts a tree up so that its pine needles and sap don’t destroy the paint surface of your roof.

Some drivers may attach a Christmas tree to a car without a roof rack by running nylon ropes or straps through the car doors and back up to the roof.

However, this approach can create rips in door seals, according to Consumer Reports.

Dedicated tie-downs like nylon ratchet straps will assure the tree stays attached to your roof, even when traveling at highway speeds.