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One of my most-loved childhood memories at Christmastime was venturing out to Merville to choose and chop the perfect tree for our family’s living room. Though it may be tempting to visit your local grocery store or home building centre to pick up a pre-cut tree, not much can replace the magic of a visit to a Christmas tree farm.

Photo: Fernridge Christmas Tree Forest

The British Columbia Christmas Tree Council has a comprehensive website that includes a handy farm search tool. Their site even includes a list of the Top 10 Vancouver Island Christmas tree farms from Campbell River to Saanichton.

Though some folks may opt for the fake, plastic variety, there are plenty of reasons to bring a real tree into your home. Justin Smallbridge, a researcher with The David Suzuki Foundation, makes an argument for real trees:

“For the most part, they are grown and sold locally, produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide for 10 to 12 years before being cut,” he states. “[They] are fully recyclable, provide habitat and, once cut, are replaced with at least two more seedlings.”

Read on if you’re not convinced.

As beautiful as they are, real Christmas trees require constant maintenance in order to maintain safety in the home. Water your tree daily, use only no-heat LED lights, keep it away from vents or other heat source and make sure your tree lights are turned off when you’re not home. Click here for more safety trips.