Troubleshoot Your Christmas Tree (and Other Things to Do Before You Bring It Inside)
If you celebrate Christmas, you’ll probably put up a Christmas tree of some kind to mark the occasion (and put gifts under it). While artificial trees do a good job of creating the right mood and holiday cheer, a live tree will always feel a little better. It’s the smell , the gorgeous randomness of its shape (as opposed to the processed perfection of faux wood), and the family ritual of choosing a tree and carrying it home.
However, a living tree is just something from nature. And when you bring something from nature into your home, there’s potential for chaos. If you’re planning on getting a live tree this holiday season, there are a few things you should do as soon as you get it home to ensure it lasts as long as possible and provides you with the best experience possible.
Check for errors
Trees grow in the wild, and despite the best efforts of the arborists monitoring the process, there’s a very good chance your gorgeous living tree is infested with insects . Like, thousands of microscopic little creatures. From aphids to spiders, beetles to praying mantises (!), the tree you just brought home from the lot could be a vector for an insect infestation.
This means your first step before you bring that tree into your home is to inspect it for insects. Using a flashlight if necessary, visually inspect the tree, looking at the trunk, branches and needles. If you see anything crawling around there, or any suspicious egg-like deposits on branches or needles, start by giving the tree a good shake to dislodge them. Then you can actually use a vacuum to collect the branches and needles and throw them away – just do it outside.
Trim and cut it
The time to shape your tree is when it’s still outside. If you drag it into your home and then decide that its shape isn’t ideal, or discover that there are low branches that prevent it from fitting into the stand, you’ll have a much harder time. Cut the mesh or string and let the tree open up, then trim away any irregularities in the shape until you are satisfied. If you won’t be putting up your tree right away, find a cool, secure place to store it, such as a garage. You should place it in a stand and water it while it waits.
If you are installing it right away, you will probably have to freshly cut the trunk. If you did not have the trunk cut when you purchased it, you should assume that the tree has lost its ability to absorb water and will need a new cut. Trim the bottom about half an inch—and remember, the wood must be in water for an hour after the cut or it will seal again.
Apply anti-desiccant spray
An anti-drying spray such as Wilt-Pruf will help keep your wood looking fresh longer. These sprays are derived from tree oils and simply coat the needles to prevent water loss, slowing the drying process that turns your beautiful holiday tree into a fire hazard. If possible, apply the spray before bringing the tree inside to make it easier to remove later.
Prepare the room
You probably know where your tree will go in the house, but even then, you should prepare a room for it. Your tree will not do well in a warm, dry room or if it is too close to a heat source, such as a furnace vent or radiator (keep it at least three feet away from these if possible). If possible, make sure the room is cool – somewhere around 60-70 degrees.
Install the stand and make sure it holds enough water to keep the wood moist. Your tree can drink about three liters of water a day , but when it’s first placed on its stand, it can drink a lot more – this is actually a sign that you have a healthy, fresh tree.
Let it rest
Finally, once your tree is in place, don’t decorate it right away. Allow the tree to wet and rest for 24 hours. This will hydrate the tree and allow its branches to settle completely while it adapts to the temperature and humidity of the room.
A live Christmas tree during the holiday season adds a cozy touch to any home and really brings out the festive feeling that this time of year inspires. Do these five things as soon as you get it home and you’ll have the best possible experience with your tree.