Tips for Getting a Christmas Tree in the stand?

I know how our family gets the freshly cut Christmas tree in the house, into the stand, and standing straight. What I want to know is what people think is the BEST way to accomplish this without arguments and cussing. :rolleyes3:

Do you put it in the stand while the tree is lying on its side outside and then bring it in the house?

Do you take the netting off before or after putting the tree in the stand?

How do you get all the screws in the stand to be even so the tree stands straight?

What's the easiest way???

 

The easiest way? Buy an artificial tree and don't kill a living tree

Back when my family were tree killers, it used to be a family effort.
First make sure that the trunk is straight. Trying to level a crooked trunked tree is very hard.

Second make sure the tree is cut level which may or may not mean cut squared depending on the trunk.

The choice of tree stand can also affect your fun.

Make sure you pick a tree stand that has the maximum distance between the bottom spike and the leveling/support arms/screws. A short tree stand will be harder to keep level, especially when your tree is not symmetrical.

This one is a pretty clever design and way better than the old four screw jobs

http://interiordec.about.com/gi/dyn...1&bts=1&zu=http://www.omnifarm.com/stands.htm

The bad thing about the old screw jobs is that the screws can slip or sink into the bark of the tree.

Or you can do it the smart way and just buy an artificial tree

 

Get a swivel stand. It makes it much easier to get in the stand and to get straight.

 

We always take the netting off first and then give the tree a good vigorous shake -- this removes most of the loose needles that otherwise would be left in the house.

With the tree on its side outside, I put the stand on (I still use the screw type too), eyeballing the alignment as best as possible. Carry it in, raise to vertical in the spot, fill with water. We then leave the tree for a few hours so the branches come down (also can get a better idea of bare spots this way and rotate the entire thing if you want). Now we eyeball again and adjust the screws as necessary (loosen one side, partner gently pulls tree to that side, tighten opposite side).

 

I second the swivel stand too. It certainly did away with the family arguments we used to have with the old type. Of course, now we have an artificial tree....the live ones got too expensive every year and now that our kids are older and in college, we no longer make the family trips to cut our own tree.

 

Thanks for the tips, everyone! We went to Day Star Farm and brought home a tree. It was actually pretty easy to set up this year! We left it wrapped then put it in the stand and worked it into place. After unwrapping and standing for a while it needed some adjusting again but all is good now.

I think the difference is that we usually un-bale it before we bring it in. We can't remember how we did it in the past but it was smooth this time.

Day Star Farm had nice 7' trees for $40. Plus horses to look at, a donkey for kids to ride, and free hot chocolate. Nice folks and a nice place.

 

When we bought trees they were always Frasir Firs. Finally got tired of paying so much for one on a lot, since most tree farms in this area don't grow them...so we bought the prettiest best quality artificial Frasier Fir we could find at HD' Expo Design center a few years back...even has pine cones and a little bit of snow...bonus - all pre-lit!