By VINCE REMBULAT

209 staff reporter

What does it take to find that ideal Christmas tree?

Look no further than ones at the local tree lots in town.

In Manteca, folks at Beck’s Holiday Specialties and Marty’s Christmas Trees are available to offer their expert advice.

Beck’s has been at Union Road near Louise Avenue (behind the Chevron Station) for the past 17 years.

Marty’s is back after an absence of the past couple of years under new ownership and in a new location in the parking lot of Metal Tech Inc., 881 Moffat Blvd.

Robert Acosta inherited the business that once belonged to Mike Teunissen, who passed away not too long ago.

He was the son of the original owner, Marty Teunissen, a local resident and businessman – he opened his first Christmas tree lot in 1954 in downtown Manteca on the corner of Yosemite Avenue and North Main Street.

Marty’s Christmas Trees had endured for well over a half century, calling the corner of East Lathrop Road and the Highway 99 Frontage Road home in recent years.

“We decided to keep the name,” said Jacob Acosta, who is the son of owner Robert Acosta.

In order to the get the word out that Marty’s was back, the owners placed 45 signs around town on the new location.

According to Jacob Acosta, the tree lot opened on Thanksgiving Day. “I think we sold well over 100 Christmas trees that day,” he said.

The new tree lot opened with a stock of about 1,000 trees – choices include Noble fir, Grand fir and silver pine – varying in height from three feet to as high as 18 feet.

In looking for that perfect Christmas tree (along with maintenance), consider the following:

·         Know your tree species. For example, a household with children might lean towards any of the firs or pines with soft needles rather than spruce.

·         Check for freshness. Take your fingers and bend one of the needles – fresh pines bends and should not break.

·         Make sure the needles are secure. Gently grab the inside of a branch and gently pull your hand through it and towards you – the needles should stay on the tree (if too many needles fall, search for a different tree).

·         Look for even coloration. Some Christmas trees can go from a deep, rich green to a dull gray-green when it gets too dried out.

·         Measure, first. It’s important to measure the area in which the tree will go before purchasing one. Remember to measure the ceiling height along the Christmas tree stand to avoid re-cutting the tree when you get home.

·         Keep tree in cool place. Next to the fireplace may be ideal but heat sources will cause your tree to dry out faster.

·         Maintain the tree’s moisture. Keep the water in your tree stand filled all the time, adding water two or even three times those first few days.

In addition, the two local tree lots do deliveries and offer up the extras such as custom flocking and other holiday needs.

In both cases, the trees are delivered here via Oregon.

Marty’s and Beck’s are open 9 a.m. daily for the next few weeks or until the stock runs out.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.