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Each year, approximately 25 million to 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States.
If you’re one of those people who decorates a freshly cut Christmas tree for the holidays, you may be wondering how to keep it looking good all the way through Santa’s visit – and maybe a little beyond.
Curtis Vanderschaff is a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service who knows a thing or two about conifers.
conversation us Asked them for guidance on how to keep a fresh green Christmas tree from turning into a giant pile of brown needles for as long as possible. Whether you end up with Douglas fir, Scotch pine, Leyland cypress, piñon or any other evergreen, he says, the quality of care you provide is a major factor in your tree’s long-term freshness.
What to consider when choosing a tree?
Choose a tree that looks fresh and whose needles are not brittle. You want one that has a strong scent and a deep natural green color. Avoid rough holes in the wood, insect marks – such as spider egg sacs – and other signs of insect damage. This advice is valid whether you are cutting your own tree or purchasing it from a retailer.
Different species of trees have different colors, sizes, branching habits, needle types, scents, and even bark types. It comes down to personal preference based on what is available to you.
If you can, choose a tree that was cut down as recently as possible and that has been watered and kept cool. Often, the freshness of a tree is directly related to the moisture of its needles. If the stump – where the tree trunk was cut – is sticky with sap, that’s a good sign.
Shake the tree well, even the ground, vigorously. It will chase down any stray animals. If a ton of dead needles or dried limbs fall off, keep looking.
bring your tree home
Tree farms and retail lots will net your tree. It is very easy to carry the branches hidden inside. If you’re going to bring it home over your car, consider using a tarp to keep the scratches and juice off your vehicle. Make sure the tree is tied securely, with the trunk facing forward to reduce wind damage to the branches. Walk comfortably on the road.
If you’re not bringing your tree indoors immediately, keep it in a cool, moist area that’s blocked from wind and sunlight.
About the author
Curtis Vanderschaff is an assistant professor of forestry at Mississippi State University. This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,
Make a fresh, straight cut about a half-inch to 1 inch (1 to 3 cm) above the original cut at the top of the tree. After any cut, the tree immediately tries to close or split the injury, making it difficult for the tree to take up water. So as soon as you make a new cutting, place the tree in a bucket of warm water. Make sure it remains full when watering the tree.
If you have allergies, you may want to spray the tree with a garden hose to remove any remaining pollen or dust – unless the weather is cool.
setting your tree inside
To keep a cut tree fresh, you must provide adequate water. Use a tree stand with a built-in reservoir and make sure it is always full. The general rule of thumb is to add 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. A freshly cut tree may use one and a half to 2 gallons of water the first day, but this amount will be reduced as the tree acclimates to its indoor environment.
You don’t have to worry about adding anything to the water. It seems like it’s just an old wives’ tale that anything – including corn syrup, aspirin, vodka, soda pop, sugar or any special preservatives or gels – helps extend the freshness of the tree more than H₂0. There’s also no specific temperature required, just not freezing cold or boiling hot.
Don’t drill holes in the bottom of the tree trunk thinking this will improve water uptake – it doesn’t.
If you have to shorten the sides of the trunk to fit, the tree is too large for you to stand on. It is the outer layers of the wood that absorb most of the water, so if you remove them your tree will be in trouble.
Secure the tree in its stand, making sure the freshly cut stump is submerged in water. If it ever stays out of the water for more than about a quarter of an hour, the cut begins the process of healing and sealing and you should think about making a new cut.
keeping the tree fresh in the new year
Once your tree is completely ready, your goal is to keep it from drying out. Remember, you want your tree to stay fresh, but more importantly, you don’t want to create a fire hazard.
Keep the tree at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from any heat sources and minimize exposure to direct sun. Lowering the temperature in the room can also help maintain freshness.
Make sure all lights and their cords are in good condition and turn them off when you are not present. If you are leaving the house or going to bed, unplug the plug completely. Taking occasional breaks from the use of lights can help slow the tree’s drying process. And make sure your smoke detectors work and you have a fire extinguisher handy.
If properly cared for, a fresh tree will last three to four weeks, often up to five weeks. If it starts to dry out at any point, the safest step is to get rid of it. When it’s time for a tree to die, cutting it down as compost is the most environmentally sustainable option.
Then you can start enjoying the longer days and looking forward to the next holidays on your calendar.