Many prefer to have a real Christmas tree for the holidays rather than an artificial tree. There are two ways to use a live tree. Set up a cut tree in a water-filled stand or bring a tree into the house that has the root ball wrapped in burlap. Place it in a tub and plant it after Christmas.
Choosing a Christmas Tree
If you do not cut your own tree, choose a fresh tree from a reputable dealer. Shake the branches to see if the tree is fresh. Needles will fall, but choose the one with the least loose needles. Plan ahead and make sure the tree is not too high for the ceiling or too wide to get in the door. Also be sure that the trunk fits into the stand and is long enough so the bottom branches do not have to be cut off.
Cut Tree Preparation
Keep cut trees in a cool, dark area after bringing them home and before setting them up indoors. Place the trunk in a bucket of water. When ready to put in the stand, cut off a 1/2 to 1 inch flat disk from the bottom of the trunk. Place the trunk in the stand so it is flat and secure. Cut Christmas trees require about 1 quart water per 1 inch of trunk diameter. Therefore, a tree with a 3 inch diameter trunk will take 3 quarter a day. The stand should be able to hold 24 hours worth of water. If the tree is left out of water for a period of time after cutting, the sap forms a cap and it impedes water intake.
Cut Tree Care
Keep the water reservoir in the stand filled at all times. The tree will dry out and needles will fall if it does not have adequate water. Try to use lights that do not give off a great deal of heat for safety’s sake and because the needles will dry out faster. Keep cut trees away from heating vents, fireplaces, and direct sunlight. Not only are they fire hazards, but they tend to dry out quickly. Lower the thermostat, if possible. Cut trees last longer in a cool environment. If the needles dry out, take the tree down. It is better to not have a tree than to have a fire at Christmas. Some trees will last 3 to 4 weeks, but to be safe only keep a cut tree in the house for about 2 to 2.5 weeks. Plain water is the best thing to give a cut tree. Additives do not keep a tree fresher longer.
Living Tree Preparation
Keep living Christmas trees in an unheated porch or garage from purchase time until time to bring it indoors. For best results wait 1 to 1.5 weeks before Christmas to set a live tree up. Never let the tree freeze. The root ball is usually wrapped with burlap or plastic. Do not do anything to burlap wrapped trees, but pull the plastic down halfway to allow the roots to breath and take up water. Place the root ball in a large tub or pot. Be aware that these trees are extremely heavy. A six foot tree often weights in excess of 250 pounds. Water the tree so that the root ball is slightly damp at all times.
Living Tree Care
Never pick up a living tree by the branches. Always move by lifting the pot or tub. Keep the root ball damp, but do not let it sit in water all day. Use twinkle lights on a living tree so heat is not produced to dry the needles out. The tree may need to be watered everyday depending on the environment. Turn that thermostat down so that it is a little cool in the room to keep the tree more comfortable. Once Christmas is over, move the tree to the garage or enclosed porch for a few days and keep it water. This will allow the tree to get used to cold weather again. If the ground gets frozen around Christmas time, dig a hole prior to freezing and cover it with straw and cover the earth dug out or place it in an area where it will not freeze.
Planting a Live Tree
The hole for the tree must be 4 times as wide and as deep as the root ball. Remove straw from the hole and place the tree in making sure the roots at the top of the root ball are at the soil level, not below. Remove the burlap or plastic by cutting off as much as possible and pulling it out of the hole. Fill the hole with the saved soil, then water well and cover the roots with about 3 inches of mulch to retain water and keep the roots warm.
Cut trees should never be burned. Instead, chop them into mulch or put them at the curb for collection. Both a cut and living tree make a wonderful decoration during the Christmas season. Christmas tree care is not hard. Just a few steps make them beautiful all season long and safe to have in the house.
Deborah Harding - Deborah Harding has developed recipes, worked with herbs and written home school curriculum for over 20 years.
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