The perfect tree

KAREN WIGHT

If you haven’t yet picked out the tree, you have homework this

weekend.

Take a few measurements before you go to the tree lot. Measure the

maximum height your tree can be without touching the ceiling. Add the

height of your tree topper and the extra inches your base will add,

and you have a guideline to follow.

Do the same with the width of the tree. If you put your tree in

the corner, make sure there is one “perfect” side to display.

If you like your tree light and lacy, look for a noble fir. If you

prefer full and bushy, a Douglas fir may be a better choice. Check

the trunk of the tree before you buy. Will it fit in your stand? A

tree that has a trunk wider than what your base can accommodate is an

exercise in frustration when you get it home. Your 7-foot tree may be

5-feet tall by the time you cut the trunk down to size. Set the tree

up outside and trim any broken branches that will scrape the walls.

Hose the tree off and let it air-dry. Washing the tree removes

unwanted arachnid house guests.

Once the tree is trimmed and dry, move it inside. Fill the base

with water as soon as you position the tree. The tree will drink

heavily for the first 72 hours; check the stand often.

There’s a science to a well-dressed tree. First, arrange the

lights. Plug the lights in before you wind them into the branches of

the tree. Nothing is more aggravating than having a set of

nonoperative lights right in the middle of your masterpiece.

If you are using more than one kind of light, make sure the light

strands can stack or end-to-end plug. The general rule is a strand of

100 mini-lights for every vertical foot of tree. Don’t skimp.

Illuminate the tree from the inside out. String lights around the

trunk and branches rather than looping them on the outside of the

tree. Don’t be afraid to mix and match lights -- there’s no rule that

says you only have to use one kind. Small white lights can be a

beautiful background for twinkle lights, colored lights or special

novelty lights.

The next step is garland. Avoid wrapping the garland too tightly

around the tree: a draping effect is desirable. Start at the tree top

and work your way down, increasing the amount of garland at the

bottom of the tree. Small beads look best when swagged from branch to

branch. Thick strands can be loosely wrapped around the tree. If you

have several types of garland, alternate swags and cross them over

throughout the branches. For every vertical foot of tree, use about

two strands of garland.

Hang the ornaments last. Showcase the important ornaments in the

front. Hang the largest first, spacing them evenly apart. Fill in

with the medium and small sizes to the balance the look. For greater

depth, hang some ornaments close to the trunk and use the more

delicate ornaments close to the outside of the tree. Finish with the

specialty shapes, like the birds on a clip. Stand back, squint your

eyes and make sure the tree looks balanced.

Put on the Christmas CD, dim the lights, make some hot chocolate

and enjoy your work of art.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.