How to Make Your Christmas Tree Last As Long As Possible
If you’re planning on planting a live tree this holiday season, I hope you’re prepared to water a lot . This big boy will need a gallon or more a day and no amount of water additives or sprays will change that. Water the tree. Otherwise, there is a huge fire hazard .
Purchase a tree stand that is large enough.
According to Rick Bates , a true Christmas tree expert with the Pennsylvania Department of Horticulture, your tree stand should hold a quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter. That’s a gallon for a tree with a four-inch trunk, or more if it’s larger.
But in fact, the main thing here is the tree: if it wants to drink, it drinks. Make sure there is always enough water so that the bottom of the trunk is submerged. You’ll probably have to refill the container at least once a day, but the safest thing to do is to do like Santa and double check it.
Prepare your tree before you bring it inside.
First, if the tree has been sitting idle all day, ask the foresters to cut the disc off the end. (Or if you have a saw, you can do it yourself when you get it home.) A half-inch is all you need. (If necessary, trim a few branches as you work to help it fit more neatly into the stand.) If you know when the tree was cut down and can put it in water for six to 12 hours, make an extra cut. is not necessary.
Don’t try to be creative. You may cut your roses at an angle before placing them in a vase, but the tree should be cut straight across. No corners, no V-shapes, no drilling holes in weird places. This makes it more difficult for the tree to obtain water.
In fact, it is the outer layers of wood that absorb water, not the center of the tree. Think of this layer as a bunch of straws. If any straw is above the surface of the water, the tree will not be able to drink through it. (The reason we cut this disc earlier is to make sure the ends of the straw are not clogged with juice.)
Therefore, make sure that the entire end of the tree is in water, and never cut off the bark to place the tree on the stand. (See above on how to get a stand large enough.)
Give him plenty of water (more than you think)
If you bring the tree home a day or two before you plan to install it, simply place the entire trunk in a bucket of water and store it in a cool place. Your garage, if you have one, is ideal.
The tree will need a ton of water in the first week, and less in subsequent weeks. Check the stand several times a day to ensure it does not dry out during acclimation.
Here are a few things that won’t help keep your tree fresh: Putting pennies in water. Putting aspirin in water. Add vodka to water. Place the gel beads in water. Spraying the tree with fire retardants. Spraying the tree with substances that say it will reduce evaporation. Dosing water with cut flower food or even tree preservatives. Adding honey, molasses, bleach, 7Up… you get the idea. Your tree wants water . Save the soda for yourself.
Watch for signs of dryness
A well-watered tree will stay fresh and healthy for three to four weeks , according to Bates, so if you haven’t purchased your tree yet, check your calendar. Your best bet may be to buy the tree in mid-December and then throw it away right after the holidays or when it dries out, whichever comes first.
To check, run your fingers over the needles. A healthy tree won’t mind. The needles of the crispy dry tree will come off in your hand.
Once you screw up, there’s no way to bring him back to life. Mulch this fire hazard. Then buy yourself a new tree and water it better this time.