Tis the season for shopping and caring for your Christmas tree! If you have taken the fake tree route, then life is easy. However, if you have a live tree spreading Christmas joy … and pine needles … we have some great tips for you.
What Do I Need?
If you do not own a fresh cut tree stand, you will need to purchase one. Choose a real Christmas tree stand that holds a gallon of water or more. Another great tip is to purchase a tree removal bag which will help to protect your floors and make clean up easier at the end of the season.
Once You Arrive Home
Keep your Christmas tree in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage to protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to bring it indoors. Keep the trunk of the tree immersed in a bucket of water so that sap from the tree does not form over the cut stump and block the trees ability to absorb water. If it does, you’ll need to make a new cut prior to bringing the tree indoors.
Tree Set Up
Clear space in the room where you plan to display your Christmas tree. Spread the tree removal bag on the ground to protect floors and carpets from possible moisture. Then place your fresh cut tree stand on top of the bag. Bring the tree indoors and place it in the stand. Tighten the stands bolts and fill the base with water.
Watering Your Christmas Tree
In order to keep your Christmas tree fresh, it is very important to keep the tree stand filled with water. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need to be made or the tree will begin to wilt and drop its needles.
A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter. Water is important because it prevents the needles from drying and dropping off and the boughs from drooping. Water also keeps the tree fragrant.
In our opinion, nothing compares with the fragrance of a real Christmas tree in your home during the holidays. So enjoy your tree this year and Happy Holidays from all of us at Stone Creek Landscaping.