Why Does Vodka Preserve Christmas Trees?

Does adding alcohol help, though? The National Christmas Tree Association asserts that no additives are necessary to keep your Christmas tree fresh, and it is possible that some additives may lead to the tree drying out faster, which makes it a fire hazard. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep your Christmas tree last throughout the holiday season.

There are a number of ways to prolong the life of a Christmas tree. Start by choosing the freshest tree you can find at a Christmas tree farm. Look for pines that are healthy and green with few brown needles.

Run a few branches through your fingers. The needles should feel soft and not fall off when you do so. Also, raise the pre-cut tree a few inches off the ground and gently drop it. If a lot of green pine needles fall off, continue shopping.

Buy a Christmas tree stand that holds 1 quart of water for every inch of the trunk's diameter. Before putting the tree in the stand when you get the tree home, cut off 1 inch from the bottom of the trunk. Place the tree in the stand and fill the water reservoir. Check the water level at least once a day.

Keep the fresh tree away from direct sunlight, heating vents and heat sources, such as space heaters and fireplaces, both of which are extremely dangerous and could dry out the tree. If you use a humidifier, position it on the other side of the room.

Some sources claim that vodka can be added to the water to preserve Christmas trees because it kills bacteria, but others disagree that it will work. Some sources recommend using aspirin, bleach, sugar or 7-Up to preserve a tree, but it is probably best to use plain old water.

Putting the tree in the stand as soon as possible once you get it home can help with needle retention. If you cannot do it right away, place the tree in a bucket of water until you are ready. In cases where cut Christmas trees are left out for more than 24 hours, it is best to cut about 1/4 inch off the base to allow for faster water uptake.

You should review Christmas tree safety tips whenever you are putting a pine indoors. These cautions are even more important than prolonging the tree's life. Trees should be kept at least 3 feet away from heat sources, including candles and radiators, and they should not block exits.

Christmas lights should be listed with a qualified testing laboratory. Note that some are not designed for indoor use. Replace light strands that have broken cords, worn cords or loose bulb connections, and be sure to turn off the tree lights when going to bed or leaving home.

Once Christmas is over, don't wait long before cleaning up the tree, or you will have a massive, prickly mess on your hands. As a preventive measure, use a vacuum hose to clean up the dead needles every few days before you need to get rid of the tree.

So, even though vodka is said to preserve Christmas trees because it kills bacteria, experts generally agree that it doesn't and that additives aren't necessary to keep your tree fresh. Simply position your tree away from heat sources and make sure it has plenty of water at all times.