As we work off all the turkey and dressin’ from Thanksgiving before all the Christmas treats, our attention turns to decorating for the big day. The staple of this time of year is, of course, the Christmas Tree. Growing up, my family had a fake tree every year. I know, I know that is not the authentic Christmas Story Christmas Tree. As I have grown up I have found a love for the real deal Christmas Trees you cannot find at just a regular box store. The nostalgia, tradition, and the fresh smell of a real tree is unmatched. My favorite part of Christmas Tree shopping is visiting local Christmas Tree farms. It is not just a tree farm; these places turn into a Christmas Wonderland. The experience, excitement, and childhood memories surrounding a Christmas Tree is what I love the most about it. When you go buy a real tree there are a few things to remember to make sure it is properly kept so it is as green and pretty as possible come Christmas Morning.
First things first, which tree should we choose? Should we go cut our own or should we go for a pre-cut tree? To address that first question, there are several conifer trees out there to choose from, though not all conifers are the best Christmas Trees to choose. Conifers are essentially plants that have cones. This includes pine trees, spruce, cypress, and fir are all conifers just to name a few. As you would have guessed, what we normally think of as a pine tree is probably not going to satisfy our Christmas spirit. Other types of pines though might. Frasier, Douglas, and balsam firs, white and scotch pines, and Leyland cypress are all common types of Christmas Trees you may see at these local farms or at Christmas Tree sales. Depending on what you are looking for, one of these types will most likely suit your fancy. Once the type is settled on, then comes the choice between cutting it yourself, or getting a pre-cut tree. Cutting it yourself will guarantee the freshness of the tree and the quality. For others, buying a pre-cut is a little easier and fits better into their schedules. If that is your route, you need to make sure of a few things before checking out. Give the tree a freshness check. Look for needles that are flexible but remain attached when you tug on them. If you see brown needles shedding from the inside of the tree when you shake it, DO NOT be alarmed. As needled evergreens age, they shed their oldest needles every year. To avoid a mess, which is probably the only negative I see towards real trees, make sure you shake those needles off before bringing it inside your home. Heck I would argue the mess the real needle shed could make inside is still better than the white flakes that come off those flocked fake trees. If you have hardwood, it will look like a flour bag exploded and if you have carpet… well good luck vacuuming all that stuff up. Okay, I am off my soapbox back to real trees. Also if you choose a pre-cut, and the needles are easily pulled off, lifeless, dull-green in color, you want to avoid it because odds are that tree has gone beyond its prime. You make sure that these boxes are checked and even if you go with pre-cut, you can make sure you leave with a fresh tree. To find local Christmas tree farms, I have included some resources at the end to help!
We have selected our tree and which type, but how do we keep it fresh? PennState Extension published some research based guidelines to ensure your tree stays at a high quality longer. You have heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, well I am about to introduce you to the 15 Guidelines of Christmas Trees.
- Use a tree stand with an adequate water-holding capacity. A tree stand should have a water basin that provides 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. For most Christmas trees, the stand should hold at least 1 gallon of water. A cut tree will absorb a surprising amount of water, particularly during the first week, so replenish the water daily.
- The tree stand should fit your tree. Some stands have circular rings at the top, so the ring must be large enough for the trunk of your tree to go through the hole. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
- If the tree is to be stored for more than a couple of days before display, it is advisable to place its trunk in water and store it in a cool, shaded, and protected area such as an unheated garage.
- If the tree has been cut within the past 12 hours, it will not be necessary to recut the trunk prior to display indoors. If it has been longer than 12 hours since harvest, the trunk should be recut to improve water uptake.
- Cutting off a disk of wood about ¼” thick from the base of the trunk is all that is necessary before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.
- Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
- The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake.
- Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
- Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.
- The use of “IV” type devices to supply water directly to holes drilled into the sides of the tree trunk is not as effective as displaying the tree in a more traditional, water-holding tree stand.
- Applying anti-transpirants to the tree does not have a significant effect on the rate of moisture loss. These products are marketed as a way to block evaporation from the foliage surface, but, in reality, they have little effect on a cut tree displayed indoors.
- Adding water-holding gels to the stand is not beneficial, and they can reduce the amount of water in the stand that is available to the tree.
- Do not use additives, such as floral preservatives, commercial tree preservatives, molasses, sugar, bleach, soft drinks, aspirin, honey, and other concoctions, in the water. Clean water is all that is needed to maintain freshness.
- Displaying trees in water with the proper care is much more effective in reducing fire hazards than spraying trees with flame retardants. Some flame retardants can damage needles and actually increase the rate of moisture loss from trees.
- Monitor your tree for dryness. Run your fingers across the needles to determine whether they are dry and brittle. If the needles break easily or fall off in your hand, the tree is dry and should be removed
All Guidelines were published by PennState Extension December 4th, 2017: https://extension.psu.edu/tips-for-selection-and-care-of-cut-christmas-trees
Also make sure to use new LED lights as opposed to older ones. The newer ones will not get as hot; we do not want to go from “Oh Christmas Tree” to “Run Run Rudolph” because the tree caught on fire. Remember as well to turn the lights off when you go to sleep or when you leave your home!
When Christmas has come and gone, do not just throw that tree away. You can have a nice bonfire, or even use the boughs as mulch for some of your perennial flowers. The Christmas Tree is a staple found in many families’ homes this time of year. Whether you have a real or not, it still symbolizes family traditions, joy, and excitement. Whichever your family chooses this year, whether it’s chopping it down, putting one up, or decorating, make sure it is with your loved ones! I hope these tips and the PennState guide will help you if you choose the real tree route. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Where to Treat yourself to a Tree?
- Georgia Christmas Tree Association
- Georgia Grown Christmas Tree Finder