Caring For Your Cut Christmas Tree
by Lori Hicks

Ah, the cut Christmas tree, age-old tradition and beloved holiday icon. A little extra trouble, but well worth it apparently-despite the proliferation of the artificial tree, cut tree sales are still quite strong each year. This is probably because many people prefer the freshness, fragrance and authenticity of the real thing. But we’ll leave the “fresh or faux” decision up to you….we’ve got you covered either way!

Get Fresh: Fresh trees have stronger fragrance, drop fewer needles, and most importantly, are more fire resistant. Determining the freshness of a tree can be a bit tricky. Try the tests listed here to guide you, but first and foremost, consider this: Always buy from a reputable dealer, who will do everything possible to preserve the freshness of the tree before you buy it. These measures add to the price of the tree-so in most cases, the cheapest tree is not the best choice.

To test for freshness, grasp a limb in one hand and gingerly run your hand toward the end of the branch, going in the same direction of the needles (do not move your hand in the opposite direction….ouch!). Every tree will shed a few needles, but if you end up with a handful of them, find another tree. Another test is to lift the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it. A sprinkling of needles is normal, but if your shoes are suddenly green, you might want to keep looking.

Size Matters: Trees tend to look smaller outdoors. Be careful not to choose a tree that won’t fit in your home. Remember that tree stands add a few inches to the height of the tree, and don’t forget to allow space for that priceless Homer Simpson treetop ornament.

Net Worth: Reputable Christmas tree dealers will wrap your tree in netting to make it easy to handle-both when it comes to putting it on and taking it off your vehicle, and when bringing it indoors.

Make the Cut: Behnke Nurseries will make a fresh cut on the trunk of your tree, ensuring maximum water absorption. If you didn’t purchase your tree from Behnke’s, saw an inch or so from the trunk to enable the tree to absorb more water and stay fresher longer.

Take the Plunge: If you’re not going to set the tree up immediately, go straight home from the tree lot, and plunge the base of the tree into a 5 gallon bucket (or similar) of water. You want to keep that fresh cut moist. Park the tree in the shade and hose it down in the morning if the weather is unseasonably warm or dry. If the weather is below freezing, bring the tree indoors and park it in its bucket, in an out-of-the-way spot until you’re ready to set it up.

Trim a Tree: Since tree branches relax over the holidays, it’s a good idea to trim a few of the lower-most branches. This leaves room for lots of presents! The cut branches can be used to make wreaths, door swags, kissing balls and other decorations.

Water, Water Every Day: A cut Christmas tree can easily soak up a gallon or more of water the first 24 hours it is indoors! Afterwards, it may require a quart a day. Moisture is critical to maintaining freshness, so check frequently! If the tree is without moisture for even a few hours, the sap may seal the cut end of the trunk, preventing the tree from efficiently absorbing new water. And a dry tree declines rapidly. Ideally, you would make a fresh cut, but this would present quite a challenge if the tree is already lighted and decorated, so check the water supply frequently! A product such as Prolong added to the water may improve water uptake.

Only You Can Prevent Christmas Tree Fires: This bears repeating. Check your tree every few hours the first day, and daily thereafter. Do not allow the water level fall below the bottom of the trunk. And of course, keep your tree away from fireplaces, heaters, stoves, candles, or heating vents.

Return Your Tree to Nature: After Christmas, remove all decorations from the tree and prop it up outdoors to provide a haven for birds and other critters. You may want to cut a few boughs and use them to cover beds of pansies or perennials that could use some winter protection. You can even keep your tree until spring and take it to your local recycling center to be turned into free, fragrant mulch

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