Tree Care

CTFANY Ad Ad

Caring for your Real Tree

Your real Christmas tree will last the entire Christmas season if you follow these few simple tips:

  • Choose a fresh cut tree. The best way to ensure you have the freshest Christmas tree is to head out to your local New York State Christmas tree farm or lot.
  • Get fresh water fast! Make sure you get your tree in water within the first 12 hours of bringing it home. If you’re unable to do this, be sure to make a fresh cut one quarter inch up the trunk with a sharp saw. This reopens the tree stem so it can drink water immediately. Give your tree 1 quart of fresh water for each inch in diameter of the tree trunk.
  • Check the water daily. Monitor the water in your tree stand bucket daily, and make sure the bucket never runs dry. Trees are very thirsty and may drink up to a gallon of water a day. Don’t allow you water level to drop below the fresh cut on the tree, or the trunk may seal up.
  • Keep it cool. Keep your real Christmas tree away from sources of heat. This will dry the tree out quicker, which can cause needle loss toward the end of the season.
  • No need for preservatives. The National Christmas Tree Association doesn’t recommend adding any type of manufactured preservative, soda, or sugar to tree water. There are no studies that prove that adding any of these prolongs the freshness of your real Christmas tree. Subsequently, there is no need to drill holes in the base of the tree as it does not help in the uptake of water.
  • Use low-heat lights. Decorate your tree with lights that are low heat, such as LEDs or miniature lights. This will reduce the chance of your tree getting dry, which will keep it looking fresh and beautiful.