Though artificial Christmas trees are becoming more and more popular, there’s something to be said for the fresh pine smell and authenticity of a newly cut evergreen. Not to mention, choosing the perfect tree is a fun tradition that brings families together in an enjoyable way. If you’ve decided to go for a fresh-cut Christmas tree this year, knowing the proper way to take care of it can help you increase its lifespan and preserve its quality well after Christmas is over.
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Here are 10 tips for caring for and decorating your fresh-cut Christmas tree:
1. Check the Tree for Freshness Before Purchasing
The easiest way to keep your tree healthy throughout December is to make sure it’s very fresh at the time you’re buying it. Run your hand loosely along a branch, beginning near the trunk, very gently tugging the needles until you reach the branch’s end. If needles fall off the tree and into your hands, the tree is likely not very fresh and will go bad much more quickly than other options.
2. Cut the Tree When You Get It Home
If you buy your tree from a lot where the pines are already cut and in stands, you’ll need to cut a thin (about 1/4 inch) disk off the bottom of the trunk before displaying it in your house. If you cut down the tree yourself, it should be fresh enough that you don’t have to take this step. This makes it easier for the tree to soak in water, which will keep it fresher for longer.
3. Buy a Big Enough Stand
If you buy a tree with a thicker trunk, make sure you buy a stand big enough for it. You should avoid carving the edges of the trunk to make it fit into a smaller stand – it won’t be as stable or able to take in as much water.
4. Keep the Tree in Water
Always keep fresh-cut trees in water. Make sure the stand you choose is big enough to hold at least a gallon of water and that the bottom of the trunk is always fully submerged.
5. Don’t Add Preservatives
Believe it or not, using preservatives, bleach or other additives will not keep your tree healthy longer. All the tree needs is fresh and clean water.
6. Choose an Appropriate Location
Decide carefully where you want your tree to be placed in your house. It shouldn’t be near any heaters, fireplaces, appliances or other potentially dangerous household fixtures, as trees become extremely flammable when they age. If you have young children or elderly seniors living in your home, keep the tree tucked away from any areas where there’s a lot of foot traffic in order to avoid falls and injuries.
7. Check Water Levels Daily
Keep an eye on the water level in your tree’s stand to ensure that the water line isn’t below the bottom of the trunk. If it is, use a watering can to fill the stand to the proper level.
8. Check Regularly for Dryness
Using the same technique as when you originally checked the tree for freshness, continue to check for dryness once you bring it home. Once a tree becomes very dry, it’s a safety hazard and should be removed from the house.
9. Use the Right Lights
Before decking your tree with lights and ornaments, first check your light strands to make sure they’re safe. If there are any missing bulbs or exposed wiring, it’s safest to replace the strand with a new one. Try to use smaller lights that produce less heat, and check to make sure they’re certified for safety – it’ll say on the tag or packaging.
10. Recycle Your Tree After the Holiday
When the holiday is over, make sure you find out when your neighborhood will be doing tree pick-ups so you can have yours ready to go. A lot of communities are also beginning to recycle trees for mulch, so do some research and see if yours has a program set up.
