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How to Care for a Fresh Cut Christmas Tree Indoors
Last year we told you about the option of getting a living Christmas tree for your celebration. Another popular option is a fresh cut Christmas tree. If you’re considering a fresh cut tree, you’ll want to be sure and take care of it properly. Learn how in today’s TrueTreeTalk post.
First Things First – Selecting Your Tree
Before you can care for your tree, you have to choose one. Choosing a tree in the best condition can help it last longer and can make caring for it easier.
The variety of tree you get will depend on availability and your location. Generally, options include firs, spruces, and pines. When selecting a variety, think about factors such as color, scent, branch strength, feel of the needles, how long the tree holds needles, shape, and more. Find a tree that fits your preferences. Someone at the tree lot should be able to provide you with information about the characteristics of the types of trees they have.
Depending on where you live, you may have the option of getting a tree that you cut yourself. These trees will be fresher than those that are precut. When selecting a tree that has already been cut, which may be the only option available to you, there are some things you can do to gauge how fresh it is.
First, select a tree that generally looks healthy. A tree with broken limbs, oozing sap, discoloration, pests, or fungi, might be best avoided.
Second, check the color. Needles that are dull and have a muted color may indicate a tree that is less than fresh.
Third, check for the flexibility of the needles and if they stay on the tree when pulled. Flexible needles that stay on indicate greater freshness than those that are stiff that come off. Interior needles may fall off (which can be natural as the tree sheds needles yearly).
In addition to variety and freshness, also consider the height, depth, and width of your tree. Be sure and include decorations and the stand that will increase the height of your tree. Also, be sure to get a tree that is small enough for the location you have such that you will be able to decorate around it, as well as one that will fit the stand you have. Have a location selected and know the size you want before going to select your tree.
What If You Can’t Put Your Tree Up Right Away
Ideally, you want to put your tree up right when you get it home. If you can’t though, be sure and store it in a cool place that’s sheltered. Depending on where you live this could be a garage, basement, or outside on the northern side of your house. You can keep the end in a container filled with water, like a bucket, during this storage time.
The Right Location
When putting up your tree, location is important. You want to take into account the size of the tree, safety, space around the tree to decorate and walk, and more. Location is also important in helping your tree to retain moisture.
For example, it is important to place your tree a sufficient distance from sources of heat. In addition to the safety aspect (be sure and follow all safety guidelines regarding where you place your tree), sources of heat can cause moisture to be lost from your tree at a faster rate. Things that give off heat include things you might think of such as fireplaces and vents where hot air comes from, but also includes things that give off heat such as computers and televisions. Additionally, windows that let in a lot of light can increase moisture loss through heat. Also, things that circulate air, like fans, and warmer room temperatures can increase evaporation from your tree and can cause it to need more water.
The Right Stand
Trees should be placed in stands filled with water. There are a variety of different types of stands, but one that holds water in a reservoir is the best type. When selecting a stand, look for one that will fit the tree you have. This is better than trying to narrow the trunk of a tree at the end to make it fit into a small stand.
Cutting the End
One important point is to recut the end of your tree before you put it in the tree stand. Recutting the end around a half an inch to an inch above the previous cut will help the tree to absorb water. This should be done even if you cut the tree yourself. When a tree is first cut, sap can seal the cut end. By recutting it, it opens it up for water to be absorbed. When cutting your tree, cut it straight across rather than at an angle or cutting a shape like a “v”. After cutting, be sure and not damage the end of the tree or get it dirty.
Lights
Lights on your tree can also produce heat and increase evaporation and the loss of moisture from your tree. Inspect your lights and make sure they are in good condition and opt for newer options that produce less heat. Follow all safety precautions when locating, decorating, and caring for your tree. Be sure and turn the lights off if you leave the room for an extended period, when leaving your home, and when you go to bed at night.
Water
The amount of water in the stand should be proportional to the diameter of the tree trunk. A rule of thumb might be 1 qt of water for every inch of diameter of the trunk. The stand you use should be able to contain a minimum of a gallon. As a note, you shouldn’t add any substances to your tree’s water. Although you might find a variety of suggestions online, just use regular water with nothing added. Some things you add can have the opposite effect to what you want and can cause your tree to lose moisture and needles. Also, water at cold tap temperature should be fine, and heating or cooling it shouldn’t be necessary.
Be sure to check the level of the water in your tree stand at least once per day. Make sure that the water stays above the cut. During the first days you have your tree up, you might find that you need to check it more frequently, as a tree can absorb a large amount of water early on. You might be able to find a device that can help you to have a consistent level of water in your stand. Although you may have heard that you can increase the water your tree takes up by drilling into the end, this will not increase water uptake. Additional, special devices that supply water to a tree through tubes, aren’t necessary. Similarly, various sprays intended to reduce moisture loss or reduce flammability, may not have the desired effect.
In addition to checking the level of the water, also check the condition of your tree daily. If it dries out, you should properly dispose of it (check for Christmas tree recycling in your area) to reduce a potential hazard. Don’t burn your tree in a fireplace, wood burning stove, or outdoors, as this could be dangerous.
If you found learning about how to care for a fresh cut Christmas tree indoors helpful, check out our other posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts.
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ArborTrue is a science-based tree-service company in the greater Houston area. We also serve Austin and other parts of Central Texas. We provide a range of services including tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, arborist consultations, and more. Call us today at 832-980-8733 (Houston) or at 512-546-3833 (Austin) or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.
