There are few things more disappointing than seeing your fully
decorated Christmas tree start to dry out before Christmas. But you
can keep the
”
ho, ho, ho
”
in your holidays by following a few easy tips that will ensure
your Christmas tree is healthy and green well through the
holidays.
There are few things more disappointing than seeing your fully decorated Christmas tree start to dry out before Christmas. But you can keep the “ho, ho, ho” in your holidays by following a few easy tips that will ensure your Christmas tree is healthy and green well through the holidays.
Starting with common sense, always make sure you have a reservoir of water for the tree to intake. Yes, I know this seems like such an easy bit of advice, but there are plenty of people who simply drag their trees indoors on those x-shaped, wooden tree stands.
Those tree stands are supposed to be temporary structures to keep the trees standing up at the Christmas-tree lot. Always replace those temporary tree stands by placing your tree into a stand with a reservoir of water.
Before placing my tree into the reservoir stand, I always cut an inch or so off at the bottom of the tree to remove any sap buildup. This allows the tree to improve capillary action, allowing it to take in more water at a quicker pace. The only exception here is if you cut your own tree at an area tree farm. In this case, the cut is new anyway, so you don’t have to make a new cut when you get the tree home.
Cut trees can drink up to a gallon of water a day, particularly in the first few days after they are set up.
There is conflicting information as to whether products you can add to the water really help preserve your Christmas tree. In the past, I’ve used everything from commercial products to aspirin and 7UP or Sprite. I don’t know if it helps, but it doesn’t hurt either.
Before bringing my tree indoors to decorate, I also hose it down with water. Trees are home to all sorts of little insects and bugs. Hosing your tree down will ensure that those little critters aren’t brought indoors with the tree.
I also spray my tree with an antitranspirant, such as Wilt-Pruf or Cloud Cover. Such products, which are inexpensive and available in easy-to-use spray bottles, will put a protective layering on the tree that helps to prevent evaporation. If we buy a live wreath, I spray the wreath with an antitranspirant as well.
Finally, some common sense tips to keep Christmas trees green longer include:
– Try to place your tree in a cooler room. This means not right next to the fireplace if you have it running all the time and also not near a heating vent.
This also means don’t place that just-bought poinsettia on top of the television or another heat source. Keep it in a cool spot indoors. Poinsettias can not survive our cold, frosty mornings.
– Remember, too, that large Christmas tree lights will generate more heat than smaller ones. They also weigh more, so they put a little more stress on your tree. I love those old-fashioned bubble lights, but they generate a lot of heat and add weight to an already filled-up tree.
-And of course, have fun decorating your Christmas tree!
