How to Care for Your Real Christmas Tree

• Tip 1: Water is the evergreen’s best friend.

• Tip 2: Cut off a half-inch or more of the base.

• Tip 3: Keep the tree away from heat sources.

• Tip 4: Display the tree in a cool spot in your home.

• Tip 5: Keep your tree safe from children and pets.

• Tip 6: Choose ornaments and decorations wisely.

• Tip 7: Upcycle it when it's done.

• Tree Service in Waco, Texas

Tip 1: Water is the evergreen’s best friend.

A real Christmas tree can last for four to five weeks if you take good care of it. The most important step is to water your tree regularly. You can just use tap water for this—it’s fine. If you want to use bottled water, though, make sure it doesn’t have any additives or minerals that could damage your tree.

If your tree's diameter is around four inches, use a container that can hold at least one gallon of water to ensure that your tree gets all the water it needs. For reference, a tree can consume approximately one quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter. (Lindberg, 2022)

Tip 2: Cut off a half-inch or more of the base.

Before immersing your tree in water, remove a half-inch or more of the trunk's base. A good way to do this is with a hand saw—just be careful not to cut yourself. You can also use a pair of large shears if you don’t have a saw handy.

Cutting off the base will allow the water to reach the inside of your tree more easily. After cutting off the base, wash it with soap and water to remove any sap or dirt.

Tip 3: Keep the tree away from heat sources.

Be sure to also keep your tree away from heat sources and fireplaces in order to prevent the needles from drying out prematurely and dropping off. The smaller the tree, the more susceptible it is from drying out fast, so keep this in mind when choosing which one to buy.

Tip 4: Display the tree in a cool spot in your home.

The best way to extend the life of your live Christmas tree is by ensuring that it doesn't dry up fast, hence the proper watering and the effort to keep it away from heat sources. Naturally, the ideal place to display your Christmas tree is in a cool, dry spot in the house. Try to find an area that doesn't get much direct sunlight, and make sure there's plenty of airflow around the tree so it doesn't get too hot or humid while it's still alive.

The spot should also have enough space for your tree to stand up straight with its trunk resting on a hard, stable surface. If you're not sure where to put your tree, ask a professional arborist for advice. They'll know where to put your Christmas tree in your home to make it look beautiful and last as long as possible.

Tip 5: Keep your tree safe from children and pets.

If you have small children, make sure to keep your tree away from them, or at least provide some barrier that will prevent them from touching or knocking over the tree, which can potentially damage its branches and needles.

Protect your tree from pets by using a stand that's tall enough to keep them away from it, or by putting your Christmas tree in an area where they can't get in. If you have a dog or cat, it's especially important to keep them away from the Christmas tree since these furry pets will often chew on the branches and needles. Aside from damaging the tree, your pets might also get injured if they chew on the ornaments and decorations adorning the tree.

Tip 6: Choose ornaments and decorations wisely.

When choosing ornaments for your live Christmas tree, keep in mind that they can damage the branches if they are too heavy. Thinner glass balls and simple wooden shapes will work best. Avoid metal ornaments that have sharp edges or could puncture the branches if they become loose over time. For the lights, opt for LEDs, as they are cooler and safer for your tree than other types of lights.

Tip 7: Upcycle it when it's done.

A real Christmas tree can only last for so long. When it's time to take it down, don't throw away the tree. Instead, upcycle it into something useful.

For example, you can use the branches as skewers for appetizers at parties or decorate them with ribbons and bows. If you have small children, they can also help you craft decorations out of the tree once it's done its job.

Pine wood is also good for making products like firewood, birdhouses, and even furniture. You can check with your local sawmill to see if they can turn your Christmas tree trunk into lumber.

Or, you can ask a tree removal service if they will grind your Christmas tree and turn it into arborist wood chips that can be used for composting or mulching.

If you're looking for more ideas on how to upcycle your Christmas tree, try searching online for ideas or checking out Pinterest for inspiration.

Tree Service in Waco, Texas

Not too keen on cutting down trees every year to serve as your Christmas tree at home? Why not plant a Fir tree in your yard and enjoy the beauty of a live Christmas tree year after year? If you want to plant a new tree in Waco, Texas, then 3rd Day Tree Service is here to help you.

Or, if you have any questions about your live Christmas tree or would like to know about our different tree services, call us at (214) 497-6226, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Reference/s:

[1] Lindberg, Bill, et al., "Making Your Real Christmas Tree Last through the Holidays." Christmas Trees. Michigan State University Extension, November 16, 2022. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/water_is_the_essential_ingredient_in_keeping_your_farm_grown_christmas_tree.