oh tannenbaum

Keeping Your Tree Fresh Throughout the Christmas Season

For many, picking out a fresh Christmas tree each year is a family tradition they look forward to. Walking through the rows of pre-cut trees to find the perfect one for your home or going out to get one yourself from a tree farm is a fun experience that ties us back to generations past. But there is no denying that a live tree takes more care. They can also be more dangerous. Dry Christmas trees are extremely flammable. With nearly one in five Christmas tree fires caused by decorative lights, it’s important to make sure your tree is well taken care of so dry branches and faulty electric wiring don’t cause a Christmas catastrophe. Here are five tips to help you keep your tree fresh so you can celebrate in style and safety all season long.

1.

START FRESH

Finding a tree that will last starts with the one you pick. Feel the branches for the softness of the needles and make sure they are all a green, healthy color without a brown hugh. Shake the trees you are considering and check for falling needles. Fresh trees will hold their needles while older trees will shed. You can also call local stores or tree tents to ask what days they get their deliveries so you can pick trees before they have time to sit and dry out. You can also get more life out of your tree by picking a specific type of tree. Both Douglas and Fraser Firs are very popular due to their longevity and strong branches.

3. 2.

DRINK UP

Always place your tree in water right away. This is a live plant so make sure you are keeping the reservoir of your stand full and check it regularly. Trees drink a lot of water, especially when they are first brought into your home! Look for a stand that holds a quart of water for each inch of stem diameter. For example, if your tree trunk has an 8-inch diameter, you’ll want a stand that holds at least 2 gallons of water. It’s also important to check the water levels often because trees will drink in cycles. One day you may find the reservoir empty and then next it’s like the tree hasn’t used any of the water at all. That’s totally normal. While there are products you can add to the water to keep your tree healthy, most experts say they are unnecessary. Water alone should be enough to keep your tree healthy and happy. Filtered, tap, or spring water also doesn’t seem to make a difference and your tree can thrive off of whatever you have on hand.

MAKING THE CUT

Once cut, sap rushes to close and seal the trunk. This stops the tree’s ability to absorb water. If you are purchasing from a tree stand, ask them to create a fresh cut at the bottom of the trunk. Trees are cut and shipped across state lines and sometimes across the county, so there is a good chance your tree has had plenty of time to seal its trunk and won’t be able to get any water no matter how full you keep the tree stand at home. Ask them to trim half an inch off the trunk in a flat circle, like a cookie. Make sure they avoid cutting the trunk at an angle or in a V-shape as this will make it harder to keep the tree upright in the stand. Never shave off any of the bark to make the tree fit the stand. The xylem, which allows the tree to drink, is located just below the bark. If you damage or remove it, the tree can’t get any water.

5. 4.

BRIGHT AND LIGHT

Another way to keep your tree fresh is to replace all your older, larger lights with smaller strands that won’t heat up while on the tree causing it to dry out faster. Make sure that any other lighted elements you use to decorate are also not getting hot, both for safety reasons and to prevent hurting your tree. New LED lights stay cool, are inexpensive, energy efficient, don’t burn out (causing the whole string to blow) and last a long time so you can reuse them year after year. And don’t worry about that unnatural, blue glow that some people associate with LED lights. You can find “warm white” lights that will mimic the look of traditional incandescent bulbs. For safety, even on the most green of trees, make sure the lights are turned off before you leave the house and before you go to bed.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

While you want to pick a spot in your home where the tree will be most enjoyed, make sure you keep it away from direct sunlight or any heat source like a fireplace and or furnace. While not a huge concern in Florida, placing your tree near a heat souce, like the ones found in homes up north, will absolutely cause it to become dry and brittle even if you are watering it regularly. These cold weather lovers also appreciate a bit of humidity so placing a humidifier nearby will help slow the drying process and keep the tree fresher longer. If you’re able to, consider lowering the temperature in the room where the tree is located.