Tree Care Tips
When a Christmas tree is cut, over half of its weight is water. With proper
care, you can maintain the quality of your displayed trees.
Below are a number of tips relating to the care of displayed trees.
- Displaying trees in water is the most effective way of maintaining their
freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
- In selecting a tree, make sure that the "handle" at the bottom is long
enough to allow the trunk to fit into you tree stand. Otherwise, it will be
necessary to remove large branches near the base, which could ruin its
appearance.
- Make a fresh cut to remove a 1/4" to 1" thick disk of wood from the base of
the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to
the stem axis. Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes
it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount
of water available to the tree. If you use a "center pin" stand, make sure the
hole is drilled in the stem after it is trimmed.
- Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go
6-8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don't bruise the cut
surface or get it dirty.
- If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool
location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water.
The tree may need to be supported in some manner to keep if from tipping over.
- To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding
capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water
per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant
water level in the stand.
- Use a stand that fits your tree. Some stands have circular rings at the top,
so the ring must be large enough for the trunk to go through the hole. Other
stands are open, which may allow a greater range in trunk size. Avoid whittling
the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the
most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
- Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat
vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying
process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
- The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and
does not affect water uptake.
- Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below
the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand
even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
- Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.
- Applying film-forming anti-transpirants to the tree does not have a
significant effect on the rate of moisture loss from the tree. These products
supposedly block the evaporation of water from the surface of foliage, but in
reality they have little effect.
- Adding water-holding gels to the stand is not beneficial and they can reduce
the amount of water in the stand that is available to the tree.
- Do not use additives in the water, including floral preservatives,
commercial tree preservatives, molasses, sugar, bleach, soft drinks, aspirin,
honey, and other concoctions. Clean water is all that is needed to maintain
freshness.
- Displaying trees in water with proper care is the most effective way of
maintaining a tree's moisture. Some flame retardants can damage needles and
actually increase the rate of moisture loss from trees.
- Use of miniature lights will produce much less heat and reduce drying of the
tree.
- Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn,
replace with a new set.
- Do not overload electrical circuits.
- Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.
- Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry,
remove it from the house.
- Go to www.christmastree.org and type in your zip code to find a
recycling program near you.
- Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove of fireplace.