Tips For Safe Christmas Tree Transportation In New Hampshire 2021

NEW HAMPSHIRE — Thanksgiving is officially over, which means that many New Englanders are ready to set up their Christmas trees.

Once you find the perfect spruce or fir, the next step is getting it home from the field or tree lot safely. To do so, AAA Northeast offered some tips for transportation.

Improperly secured trees can damage your vehicle by scratching the paint, tearing the door seals or distorting window frames. Worst case, it could fall off, becoming a danger to other drivers around you.

AAA reported that nearly half of Americans who planned to buy a real tree in 2019 would bring it home using an unsafe transportation method. These include not using a roof rack on a sedan or SUV, or not securing the tree in the bed of a pickup truck.

Follow these tips from AAA Northeast to keep your car, tree and others safe when bringing home your Christmas tree this holiday season.

• Call the Christmas tree lot ahead of time to ask about hours or potential limits on the number of people allowed in.
• Even if the lot is outside, it's a good idea to wear a face covering and practice social distancing when choosing a Christmas tree.
• Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps, gloves and an old blanket or tarp to properly secure the tree.
• Make sure to take the proper vehicle, ideally one with a roof rack. Pickup trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans can also be used to safely transport trees.
• Have the lot employees wrap the tree in net before loading to restrain loose branches, which will prevent damage to the tree.
• Cover the roof of the vehicle with the blanket or tarp before loading to protect the paint.
• When loading the tree, face the trunk towards the front of the vehicle. If you do not have a roof rack, place the tree inside the vehicle.
• Secure the tree at the bottom, center and top with the rope or straps. Avoid using the twine offered by tree lots in favor of stronger alternatives.
• Once the tree is secured, give it several strong tugs from different angles to make sure it doesn't move.
• Drive slowly, taking back roads if possible. High speeds create airflow that can damage the tree or loosen the ties.