How to Keep a Christmas Tree Fresh

Your tree will look healthy and happy until New Year's if you follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Trees
• Tree Stands
• Watering Cans
• Buckets
• Saws
• Saws

1. Select the freshest tree possible. Ideally, buy one that is cut the day you bring it home.

2. Cut 1 inch off the base, place the tree in a bucket of water, and stand it in a cool, shady place if you don't plan to set it up right away.

3. Cut 1/2 inch to 1 inch off the base of the trunk when you bring it inside to set up.

4. Place in a tree stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water. Add plain water.

5. Water the tree every day.

6. Avoid allowing the water level to drop below the cut end of the trunk. If it does, a seal will form and prevent any more water from being absorbed by the tree. You'll need to make another cut in the trunk if this occurs.

7. Keep the tree away from the fireplace, vents and other sources of heat.

8. Spray tree with an antitranspirant, which is a clear film that slows water loss from the needles. Spray it on before trimming the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Miniature light sets produce less heat than the standard-size lights, so the tree will dry out less quickly if you use them.

Resources

• Letter From Santa
• Christmas Recipes

[christyhow]

on 1/5/2009 call me crazy, but its so not fair to cut down all those baby trees use them for a few weeks and then toss them by the curb for garbage removal. Everytime, i pass by a house and i see those poor trees just shoved out like that it breaks my heart. they belong in the forest or backyard where they were meant to be, growing old and improving the air and atmosphere. i used to like real Christmas trees but not anymore. If i want a real CHristmas tree, I'm gonna decorate the one in my backyard with lights. Its just a lot more honorable.

[neenee]

on 12/9/2007 if the water in the tree stands does go dry what can be done too save the tree and not require it to be removed from the stand and recut? can you drill a hole lower on the trunk and feed the tree this way? or do you simply use the hot water to re-open the pores at its base?

on 11/22/2005 I use the Christmas Tree I-V to inject water into the side of the tree. I drill a 1/2" hole in the trunk and plug in the I-V. That way, it drinks gallons of water without a messy bowl.

on 12/22/2008 Use hot water when you water your tree. The hot water keeps the trunk from sealing up. The sap from the tree tries to heal the cut off end. Hot water melts the sap allowing the tree to take in more water keeping it fresher longer.

on 11/22/2005 I have always poured extremely hot water with two dissolved aspirin tablets into the trunk of the tree. I don't know why, but it works every year.