Timber!

With the Thanksgiving meal just barely digested, many peoples’ thoughts turn to the mega holiday of Christmas. Some battle the hordes on Black Friday to try to find a deal. Others brave the rain and wind to get the holiday lights display put up on their house. In my family though, the day after Thanksgiving means one thing: getting a Christmas tree.

I know there are those who prefer the practicality of a plastic tree. Still others are satisfied with a real tree bought at a lot. For us it is has to be a tree that we chop down, precariously strap onto the roof of the car, and then try to set up, hopefully at not too crooked an angle, in the living room. We do, however, go to tree farms as opposed to the true hardcore tree fanciers who go out into the forest, with a permit of course, to bag their tree.

If you keep some of the same traditions, here are a few titles to help you on your quest.

Of course, tree selection is key:

Northwest Conifers: A Photographic Key by Dale Bever

Timber Press Pocket Guide to Conifers by Richard Bitner

But definitely not:

Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast by Robert Van Pelt

When faced with cutting down your selection, why not try:

Practical Outdoor Survival by Len McDougall

Basic Illustrated Camping by Cliff Jacobson

Big Timber, Big Men by Carol Lind

And finally, when it comes to strapping the tree on the roof of your car:

Geometry Success in 20 Minutes a Day