How to Extend a Christmas Tree's Life

A Christmas tree is a symbol of holiday cheer around the world.

Live Christmas trees are more than just a sign of the holiday season. Setting up Christmas trees have become an American tradition, with 25 to 30 million trees sold each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. A freshly cut tree will generally last about three weeks before it starts drying out and dropping its needles. Although there's no magic way to keep a cut tree alive forever, with the proper care a tree can stay fresh all the way to New Year's Day.

Things You'll Need

• Tree stand
• Water

Instructions

1. Cut half inch off the bottom of your tree before putting it in a tree stand. The bottom of the stump may be sealed up by sap and dirt or dried out from air exposure. Trimming off a bit allows water to be soaked up into the tree. This step is only necessary if you bought the tree from a store, but not if you cut the tree down yourself.

2. Choose a place for your tree that's not near any heat sources. If the tree is set up next to the fireplace or a heating vent, it will become dry more quickly. The tree should also be in a spot away from direct sunlight.

3. Buy the tree only when you're ready to set it up at home. The tree can survive outside overnight in a bucket of water if the weather is cool, but if the weather in your area is either warm of freezing, you should bring the tree home and set it up inside immediately.

4. Place the tree in a stand filled with water. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends filling the stand with one quart of water per inch of the tree trunk's diameter. Refill the stand whenever the water is getting close to the bottom of the trunk.

5. Decorate the tree with miniature lights. These lights give off less heat than large bulbs, slowing down the drying process.

6. Keep the temperature of the room where you set up the Christmas tree a few degrees cooler than the rest of the house. If it's not possible to control the temperature of the room, turn the temperature down when no one is home. The tree should last slightly longer in a cool environment.

Tips & Warnings

• While some people swear that adding sugar, fertilizer or crushed aspirin to the tree's water will extend its life, the National Christmas Tree Association says that these additives are not useful. In fact, they can actually make needles fall off faster. Use only plain tap water in your stand.

References

• National Christmas Tree Association: How to Care for Your Farm-Grown Fresh Christmas Tree
• National Christmas Tree Association: Frequently Asked Questions
• The Daily Green; How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh Longer; Brian Clark Howard; December 10, 2010
• National Christmas Tree Association: Quick Tree Facts