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| Christmas Tree Farm Photo credit: Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program |
Is your Christmas tree up? Did you get a fresh one? Whether you cut your own tree or bought a pre-cut tree, here are some tips to make the most of your fresh tree.
“Most commercially available Christmas trees are harvested the first couple weeks of November. If you enjoy decorating your home as early as Thanksgiving or early December, you are challenging a tree to maintain its freshness in the warm, dry environment of our heated homes. To optimize the length of time a tree looks its best, seek out the freshest tree, choose tree varieties which can take indoor conditions, and optimize the environment once the tree is brought into your home”. ~PennState Extension
1. When deciding where to place the tree in your home, consider where your heat sources are: avoid the fireplace, furnace vents and direct sunlight.
2. Maintaining a high level of moisture in the tree is the single most important factor for reducing needle loss.
3. Make sure your tree stand has an adequate water-holding capacity. It should have a water basin that provides 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter – it should probably hold at least a gallon of water. You will have to replenish the water daily, particularly during the first week or so.
4. If not decorating right away, place its trunk in water and store in a cool, shaded and protected area such as an unheated garage.
5. If the tree was cut within the past 12 hours, it is not be necessary to recut the trunk prior to displaying indoors. If it was cut down before that, the trunk should be recut to improve water uptake.
6. Water temperate will not affect the water uptake.
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| Courtesy Non-political Beyond the Far Side group |
Avoid:
1. Applying anti-transpirants to the tree - it will not have a significant effect on the moisture rate loss.
2. Adding water-holding gels to the water stand - it is not beneficial.
3. Using additives, such as floral preservatives, commercial tree preservatives, sugar, aspirin, etc. in the water. Clean water is all that is necessary to maintain freshness.
4. Avoid spraying trees with flame retardants.
The newer LED Christmas lights generate less heat than the older types of lights. And… always turn off the lights when the tree is unattended.
Sources and additional information: PennStateExtension, IowaStateUniversity