A Christmas tree is probably the most beloved symbol of the season and there is nothing like the smell of a freshly cut pine tree to fill a house with holiday spirit. With proper care, most real Christmas trees should last at least five weeks or more.
Following these five tips from Down to Earth Living will help keep your tree looking its best the entire season long:
- Select a healthy green tree with the least amount of brown needles. Pick the tree up a few inches and drop it—beware if green needles fall off. Experts note that Fraser fir is the best variety in terms of water uptake and needle retention, followed by Balsam fir, Scotch pine, and White Spruce.
- Your tree seller should make a fresh cut off the base of the trunk before you take it home to help it absorb moisture. When you get your tree home, place it in a 5-gallon bucket of fresh water in a protected area, like an unheated garage, if you are not setting it up right away. When you are ready to bring your tree indoors, make a second one-inch cut off the bottom. Secure the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Despite myths to the contrary, drilling holes in a Christmas tree trunk does not help in water retention and is not recommended.
- The tree absorbs the most water during the first week, so it is a crucial period for a Christmas tree’s survival. For every inch of the trunk’s diameter, fill the stand with one quart of water and check the water level every day. Fresh, clean water is all you need. Adding preservatives like sugar, corn syrup, aspirin, or even vodka does not extend the life of your Christmas tree.
- Avoid placing your tree next to a fireplace, radiator, or window that gets bright sunlight. These heat sources can prematurely dry the tree out. LED holiday lights also preserve the tree’s life as they emit very little heat and reduce the risk of fire. Lowering the temperature in the room can help slow down the drying process, as does the use of a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
- If you wait too long to set up your tree, you’ll have more dead pine needles to deal with. The easiest way to clean up fallen needles is to skip the fancy attachments and just use the end of the vacuum hose to draw needles directly into the bag or canister.
Have a happy holiday!
Down to Earth Living, located on 12.5 acres in Pomona, attracts customers from Rockland, Bergen, Orange, Westchester, and even Fairfield County, Connecticut, with its gracious outdoor living furnishings and beautiful home decor.
But for Bergen County residents, it’s a quick and easy trip from Routes 9W, 17, the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the Garden State Parkway to this must-see showroom at 1040 Route 45, Pomona, New York.
For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit www.dteliving.com.
The kind of place you loved as a child! Christmas has arrived at Down to Earth Living!
