Keeping your Christmas tree fresh means maintaining the tree’s needles, scent and vibrant color. but besides that Watering Your Christmas TreeWhat you can do to make sure your tree boasts holiday splendor and the classic Christmas tree scent – so you can avoid taking your tree down too early,
To learn more about how to care for your tree, we talked to Christmas tree experts and arborists. Here, they share their tips for keeping your Christmas tree looking fresh all season long.
meet the expert
- Rocco Malanga Owner of Cedar Grove Christmas Trees and founder of The Association of Real Christmas Tree Merchants.
- scott sergeant Sargent is an international arborist and landscape contractor in landscape and arboriculture.
How long does a real Christmas tree usually last?
A real Christmas tree can last four to six weeks with proper care, although there are some things you can do at home to extend the life of your tree. However, according to Rocco Malanga, owner of Cedar Grove Christmas Trees, this number depends on how it is maintained at home and how it is harvested and cared for by the retailer.
So, some tips from our experts include how to treat your tree when you first get it from the tree.
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start fresh
Even before you put your tree in it Christmas tree standThis is an important first step to ensure that your tree remains hydrated. Ask the tree attendant to prune the tree by making a cut at least an inch from the bottom of the trunk for better water absorption, Malanga says. This will help your tree take up more water effectively.
Use Pet-Safe Preservatives
Adding a preservative to your tree stand’s water reservoir can help keep your Christmas tree hydrated. But many of these contain bleach, so they are not safe for pets who may try to drink from near the tree.
Many trees offer pet-safe preservatives that can be added to water for better hydration and needle retention, says Malanga. Ask the person selling you your Christmas tree if they have pet-safe preservatives that you can add to the water when feeding your tree.
Hydrate your tree
Water the Christmas tree every day. Check the water level every morning to make sure the tree has enough water, and if it doesn’t, add more water to the tree stand. Depending on the variety of Christmas tree, a full-sized evergreen tree will take more water than you expect to stay hydrated. For example, a 6-foot-tall evergreen will need about a gallon of water per day.
In addition to watering the tree stand, you can also spray the tree’s needles. Use a simple spray bottle Spray your tree branches with water once a day to keep them from becoming brittle.
Keep your tree away from hot fireplaces and heating vents
Since Christmas trees can dry out, you won’t want to place them near a heat source such as a fireplace or heating vent. According to Scott Sargent, an international arborist and landscape contractor of Sargent Landscape & Arboriculture, you should always test a room for unexpected heat sources before placing your tree in it.
“Keep a thermometer or temperature app on your smartphone and take temperature readings at multiple locations within the room,” he suggests.
Make sure the room is at the normal temperature you usually keep it set at when testing. But if every room in your house is heated, place the tree as close to a window as possible. This way, you can open the window from time to time to cool the tree if necessary.
Keep your heating system off or off at night
One way to keep your tree from drying out is to make sure your heating system is turned down to low or off. At night, when everyone is in bed, set your thermostat to 68 degrees to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
You may also want to turn down the thermostat when no one is home.
“Newer home thermostats can be programmed from your smartphone,” explains Sargent. “If you’re at work or out, you can adjust the thermostat lower after everyone has left the house after you.”
Choose a room with a vaulted ceiling
Another way to keep your tree from drying out is to keep it in a room with a vaulted ceiling. This is because living rooms with vaulted ceilings are much better at escaping heat than living rooms with low ceilings.
“Heat rises and a domed roof will keep the heat away from the trees better than a typical low roof,” says Sargent.
FAQ
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A cool part of the house, away from direct sunlight and heating sources like fireplaces, is the best place to place your Christmas tree. Placing your tree near a window can also help, as a cool window can keep trees from drying out.
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Using sugar alone can lead to fungal growth in the tree stand’s water reserves over time. Instead, use a preservative.
“They usually have a food source for trees – sugar –And An acid pH adjuster and a mild fungicide, like bleach,” explains Sargent.
You can also ask about pet-safe options when you purchase your tree.
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Our experts say this can be difficult depending on how long the tree has been out of water or in a warm room. The first thing you want to do is add water to the tree stand, cool the room, or install a humidifier in the room to humidify the hot, dry air. Finally, you can also cut away dry, drooping branches or hide them with ornaments or decorations.
