Shopping for a Christmas tree

At the top of many people's holiday shopping list this weekend, getting a Christmas tree. <br><br>News on Six reporter Ashli Sims takes us to a place where part of the fun is searching for the perfect

Friday, November 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

At the top of many people's holiday shopping list this weekend, getting a Christmas tree.

News on Six reporter Ashli Sims takes us to a place where part of the fun is searching for the perfect selection. For the Soderfelts, picking a Christmas tree is not just an annual event, but also a family tradition.

Beth Soderfelt: "Ever since I can remember we went out and got a tree and a lot of them because we just went out and took em out of the woods they didn't look as nice as that but its part of Christmas."

At the Owasso Tree and Berry Farm at 11039 N. 129th East Avenue, the whole family can hunt through two thousand trees in search of the perfect one. And pick it fresh from the ground. Owner, Bill Jacobs: "We're now taking care of the family's kids who started here 16 years ago so its a real family tradition and its a real America people like to come to the country." Art Soderfelt: "Itâ€™s close to home and itâ€™s a good outing and the kids like it.â€

When it comes to Christmas trees, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But everybody needs to know how tall and wide you want you're Christmas tree to be to make sure it'll fit in your house. With his son on top, Art Soderfelt is about ten feet tall. So they know this tree's perfect for their house. You can fell the tree yourself. Or leave the sawing to the professionals. When you've snagged the tree of your choice, they'll shake it down. Lop the end off. Fit it with a stand, and this Christmas tree is ready for the Soderfelts' living room. Now they only have to worry about the goodies that go underneath.

Bill Jacobs says the secret to keeping your tree fresh is a lot of fresh water. A general rule of thumb, you need one quart of water for every inch in the tree trunk's diameter.