How to Make Your Christmas Tree Look Greener

If the needles fall easily off the tree, don't buy it.

Live Christmas trees provide a fragrant, green background for holiday ambiance but some trees don't stay green for long. If your tree appears scroungy or thin, the trunk may show more than the branches. When this happens, a tree can fade into the background, providing less holiday spirit. You can take steps to make the tree look greener and healthier. A real Christmas tree only lasts a few weeks so it's important to buy a full tree that has a deep green color.

Things You'll Need

• Old sheet
• Handsaw
• Green Christmas tree lights
• Artificial Christmas greenery picks

Instructions

1. Place an old sheet around the base of the tree. Grasp the tree by the trunk, halfway between the top and bottom. Shake the tree twice to remove dead, brown leaves.

2. Cut away dead limbs with a hand saw or pruning shears. Gather up the sheet removing the needles and limbs.

3. String green lights on the tree, starting at the base, working upward. Tuck the green lights in the inner branches near the trunk. The green illumination will give a soft glow, making the tree look greener.

4. Arrange picks of greenery in the branches of the tree. This will fill in bare spaces and make the tree appear greener.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use additives in your Christmas tree water like bleach or aspirin.

• Don't place the tree in bright sunlight; this will fade the limbs.

References

• Pick Your Own Christmas Tree: Caring for a Christmas Tree
• National Christmas Tree Association: FAQ