How to Care for A Fresh Cut Christmas Tree

1/ Pick the freshest tree possible. Be sure to inspect the tree by feeling

its needles, which should be flexible and firmly attached. Avoid any tree

with dry and brittle needles. Lift the tree several inches off the ground

and firmly bang it on the ground. If a shower of needles drops off,

keep looking.

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2/ Once you’ve selected your live tree, you’ll need to take care of it

immediately to keep it alive. Arborists suggest wrapping it in a plastic

tarp to protect it on the journey home. Be sure to make a fresh cut across

the bottom of the trunk, removing about an inch or so of wood this will

help it to absorb water. Otherwise, the wood pores will seal within 3 hours

of a fresh cut. To further enhance the tree’s ability to soak up water, drill a ¼-inch-diameter hole straight up the center of the fresh-cut end.

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3/ Immediately upon bringing the tree home, be sure to put it in water. Either set the tree into its stand or place it in a bucket of water if you’re not going to decorate it right away. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresh, so be sure to check the water level every day. A Christmas tree typically absorbs about one quart of water for each inch of its diameter. So, a tree with a 4-inch-diameter trunk will soak up a gallon of water every day.

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4/When setting up a Christmas tree in your home, remember to keep it well away from heat sources, including heat registers, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and space heaters, as these will speed up the drying process.

 

5/ Be sure any lights you put on the tree are in good working order and are specifically designed for decorating Christmas trees. New LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights are very affordable, long-lasting, highly energy-efficient, and they stay cool, so they reduce the risk of fire.

And of course, never place an open flame anywhere near the tree. 

Once the holiday season is over and you’re done with your tree, don't drag it to the curb, recycle it!