5 tips to make your real tree last all season long
With proper care, most real trees can last at least five weeks or more. We have collected the best tips to make sure your Christmas lasts long past Dec. 25:
Make sure to prepare
When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water, according to experts at the National Christmas Tree Association.
Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir-type stand is the most effective way to maintain freshness and minimize needle loss.
Use a stand with adequate water-holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide one quart of water per inch of stem diameter.
The stand should also fit your tree, so you should avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient for taking up water, and shouldn’t be removed, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
Trim the trunk
You should make a fresh cut to remove about ½-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand.
Don’t cut the tree at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree, the experts at the National Christmas Tree Association say.
And drilling a hole in the base of the trunk doesn’t improve water uptake.
Water the tree often
Once you’re home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most tree species can go six to eight hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Just make sure to place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket kept full of water.
Check the stand daily to make sure the level of water doesn’t go below the base of the tree. In some stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in the water.
Keep the tree away from heat sources
Keep trees away from major sources of heat, like fireplaces, heat vents and direct sunlight. Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day, according to the association.
Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree, and if worn, replace with a new set.
Take it down before it dries out
Continue to monitor your tree for freshness. After Christmas, or if the tree is very dry, remove it from your home.
Properly recycle your tree. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.
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