Christmas Tree Care
Keep Your Tree Fresh throughout the Holiday Season
Enough water, a proper sized stand, cool temperatures and low-heat lights will help your Christmas tree stay fresh and reduce needle loss.
After you buy a Christmas tree from a retailer or cut it at a tree farm, you still need to follow a few steps to assure the tree will stay fresh when it’s displayed at home. The National Christmas Tree Association
provides the following tips on caring for your tree.
- When a tree is cut, over half its weight is water. Displaying it in a traditional stand with a water reservoir is the best way to keep it fresh and reduce needle loss. As a general rule, the stand should provide a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter.
- Before putting the tree in its stand, make a fresh cut of about ½ inch straight across the base of the trunk. This re-opens the water-drawing pores so the tree can begin taking up water again. The stand should be large enough to accommodate the straight-cut base; whittling down the outside edges of the trunk will reduce the tree’s ability to absorb water.
- Don’t cut the trunk at an angle as this will make it difficult to balance in the stand and reduce the amount of water the tree can absorb.
- The tree should be placed in water as soon as possible after purchase. It can be temporarily stored in a bucket of water in a cool location for several days before setting it up for display. After cutting the trunk, you have six to eight hours for most species before placing the tree in water to assure it can still drink.
- Trees should be displayed away from any heat source, such as stoves, heaters, fireplaces or direct sunlight. Reducing room temperature will slow drying and reduce the amount of water the tree requires.
- Water should be checked daily to be sure it doesn’t go below the tree base.
- Lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will further reduce drying.
- Inspect lights and replace any worn light sets before using them on the tree. Don’t overload electrical circuits, and always turn out the tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
- If the tree becomes dry, it should be removed from the house. After Christmas, remove the tree promptly for recycling. No part of the tree should be burned in a wood stove.
- To find a Christmas tree recycler near you, go to the National Christmas Tree Association web site (listed below) and type in your ZIP code.
By following these care tips, you can enjoy your fresh Christmas tree throughout the holiday season.
Source:
National Christmas Tree Association. Here you can also find additional information about fresh Christmas trees, plus photos including the 2005 White House Christmas Tree below.
For a guide to various species grown for Christmas trees, see the related article, Types of Fresh Christmas Trees.
