Christmas Tree Care

Evidence of the holiday season has been apparent in stores now for several months, but with the arrival of the snow (in our part anyways!) and getting ready to flip the calendar over to December 1^st means it’s getting closer to the big day.  Many of us have already begun digging out the storage boxes full of snowmen, wreaths and lights, but my favorite box is the one holding the decorations for the Christmas tree.

If you set up a real tree every year, here are a few tips to prolong the life of it:

• Ideally, cut it down yourself rather than buying from a pre-cut lot to guarantee freshness.  Freshness upon bringing it home is key to a longer life.
• If you are buying from a pre-cut selection, ask when they were harvested and where they came from.  Inspect the tree by feeling the needles, they should be flexible, not dry and brittle.
• If you buy pre-cut it is important to remove an inch or inch and a half off the bottom.  This is because once the tree is cut down, the sap will seal over the base and hinder it’s ability to absorb water.
• As soon as possible, get the tree into water, whether it is the base or a bucket.  The base of the tree should never be allowed to dry out.  Rule of thumb is that a tree will absorb 4 cups of water for each inch of it’s diameter, so top it up daily.
• Forgot to water and the tree dried out?  You can try drilling small, shallow holes in the base and refilling with water.
• Keep the tree away from heaters, direct sun and fans.  Use a humidifier if possible.
• LED lights not only save on power, but reduce the risk of fire as well as they stay cooler than traditional bulbs.  Ensure all bulbs are in good working order and designed for indoor tree use.

Many happy memories are created around the tree, so keep yours as healthy and safe as you can for the Christmas season.  Happy decorating!