The Michigan Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) has created a great directory of Christmas tree lots in the state of Michigan.
Real Christmas trees are great and inexpensive. For example, you can get a 7.5 foot tall Norwegian Spruce for around $50 bucks.
Balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, etc, are good options.
The tree guys will cut a slice off the bottom of the tree with a chainsaw. This helps with water intake.
Bring a mat to put on your car roof. The trees guys will typically throw the tree up there and tie it to the roof for you with some twine. Remember to tip them a couple bucks.
At home, make sure you have a tree mat, then the tree stand on top of it. Krinner Tree Genie XXL is an excellent top-rated tree stand for real trees.
When you get home, put on some thick gloves (those needles hurt) and put it in your tree stand. In the base, add 3 parts warm water and 1 part Sprite for your first watering. Adding Sprite is totally optional and in many circles, up for debate.
Then trim the top (if needed) to make room for the tree topper.
Regularly water the tree and you’re good to go.
A fresh tree can use up to 1 quart of water per day for each inch of diameter on the cut end. A typical 7-foot-tall tree may have a 3-inch trunk diameter, so will need up to 3 quarts of water per day.
Eventually, the tree will dry out, turn brown, needles will fall off. At the end, remember to properly recycle your tree.
Find a tree lot near you
https://www.mcta.org/retail-lots-map
Krinner Tree Genie XXL (this is an excellent tree stand for a real tree)
https://www.amazon.com/Krinner-Genie-Christmas-Stand-Green/dp/B000XRQUSQ
Recycle your tree
https://realchristmastrees.org/all-about-trees/how-to-recycle/
