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Luckily there are several ways to pet-proof your Christmas trees so you can have a smooth-sailing holiday. They make excellent YouTube fodder, but it gets old after the hundredth time the tree topples over or an ornament shatters. When the holiday season is over, take it outside, keep the root ball from freezing and plant in the spring.” Check out our other blog posts about Christmas tree care.While hilarious, repeated Christmas tree mishaps can become a royal pain. Try “a tree that is in its original root ball. Or Sayers says you could always go a different direction. And most importantly, Sayers recommends “making sure that it never goes dry.” Once you’ve got your tree, resist the urge to bring the tree inside sooner than necessary. More on choosing the perfect type of Christmas tree here. How can I stop needles from falling from my live Christmas tree?īrian Sayers, a certified arborist and Chair Elect at TREE Fund, answers this one.įirst, Sayers advises picking a tree that holds its needles better, like a fir. Andersen says this works better than drilling a hole in the trunk because it exposes more of the flat surface area and helps the intake of water. If you cut your tree and brought it right home, there’s no need to cut again. Once your tree is home, “cut an inch of the trunk if you bought it precut and place it immediately in a bucket of water,” Andersen says. To help preserve your tree on the drive home, wrap it in plastic or a net. If lots of needles fall off, you’ll be doomed,” Andersen shares. “Your tree preservation efforts need to start at the Christmas tree lot or farm. Tchukki Andersen, a board-certified master arborist and staff arborist at the Tree Care Industry Association, shares her tips. How do you best preserve a Christmas tree? Does drilling a hole in its trunk help? “It’s normal for your tree to take in a large amount of water one day and just a little the next. Be sure to check and replenish your Christmas tree’s water every day. From there, provide a quart of water for every inch of tree diameter. He recommends putting your tree in water as soon as you bring it home. That’s why his best piece of advice for Christmas tree care is, “Water. “Trees bought in early December that don’t receive adequate water will likely be unacceptably dry by the time the 25th rolls around,” Roberts says. How long can a Christmas tree live without water?Ĭoe Roberts, a certified arborist and manager of digital strategy at the Arbor Day Foundation, fields this question. “If you keep the basin of the Christmas tree stand filled on a regular basis, you won’t have to worry about placing any additives in the water,” Laverne instructs. Instead, he says it’s far more important to make sure that the tree always has enough water. “I’m not aware of any substantial benefits of adding anything to the water,” Laverne says. Laverne, Davey’s manager of education and training and an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®, answers below.
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What do you put in Christmas tree water to keep it fresh? Sugar? Christmas Tree Care Tips – Sugar Water, Brown Needles and More
SHOULD I SPRAY MY CHRISTMAS TREE WITH WATER FULL
Now, all that’s left is to make sure your Christmas tree stays alive and full of wonder throughout the holiday season.īelow, tree care industry experts share their best care tips to keep your tree looking fresh.
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And you look around, and soak up all the joy! The ornaments burst with memories as you pull them from their storage.
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The soft glow from the twinkle lights dances around the room. Decorating the Christmas tree is a quintessential holiday moment.
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