Tips To Care For Your Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree Maintenance Guideline:

• Pick The Right Tree – Look for trees with vibrant green needles and a trunk that is sticky with resin. Resin indicates freshness.
• Cut – Cut your tree at its base as straight as possible, ensuring the pores of the tree open up and absorb water more effectively. If sap from the tree gathers and forms over the cut stump, this will block the tree from absorbing water. If the sap forms as mentioned, make a new cut.
• Water Frequently – Use a stand that has a sufficient water reservoir and ensure the tree is always well-watered. Christmas trees consume a lot of water so check the water levels every day. Your tree stand should always be filled with water. Christmas trees can absorb as much as 1 gallon of water (or more) in the first 24 hours, and one or more quarts per day after that. Enough water will prevent needles from drying out and dropping to the floor.
• Keep It Cool – Pick a spot for your tree that is not directly next to heat sources like fireplaces, heating vents, radiators, etc. Excess heat will dry your tree out.
• Add – Consider adding tree preservatives or homemade mixtures (i.e. vinegar, sugar, aspirin) to the water reservoir to help extend the tree’s life. These add-ons provide extra nutrients and prevent bacterial growth.
• Trim – Cut off dried out needles and limbs. As Christmas trees age, needles will dry out and fall off – prune them before in order to keep your tree looking fresh.
• Dispose – When you are ready to dispose of your tree, recycle or dispose of your tree properly. Many towns/communities offer tree recycling programs.