We spend so much time putting the perfect decorations on our trees, but for all of them to work, there is one decoration that needs to look its best—the Christmas tree itself! How often do the needles seem to be barely hanging on by the end of the holidays? You try to remove them carefully, but your carpet ends up looking like a forest floor. Fortunately, this need not be so. There are many ways to prevent your Christmas tree from drying out and help it last throughout the holidays!
If you want your Christmas tree to last longer, start by choosing a tree that looks fresh. When you run your hand along the needles, they should feel pliable and remain on the branch. Lift the tree a few inches off the ground and let the trunk fall. A few brown needles should shake off, but very few green ones.
When we’re happily cruising home with the Christmas tree on top of the car, we may not realize that we’re giving it an unnecessary wind bath. All of the rushing cold air is sucking moisture from the needles. An easy solution is to wrap it in an old tarp, preferably one that can handle some sticky resin.
It doesn’t matter when your Christmas tree was cut from its roots; if it has been at the garden center for any length of time, the tree will naturally have started to seal the wound with resin. This seal reduces moisture loss but prevents it from taking up fresh water, too. What to do? Re-cut the base of the trunk before you set it up. A straight cut will help the tree stand upright. Taking off an inch is enough. If you have to store the tree before bringing it inside, trim the trunk and place it in water. Then, re-trim it when you’re ready to bring it in. Drilling holes in the bottom or cutting it at an angle does not help with water uptake.
The simplest way to prevent the Christmas tree from drying out is to keep the water topped up, preferably at least two inches above the base of the trunk. Sometimes that means watering the stand every day. If you let the tree dry out, the cut will start to seal with resin, reducing the tree’s ability to drink water. For extra protection against dryness, give the needles a spritz with an anti-desiccant spray.
Furnace vents, wood stoves, radiators, and fireplaces are all quite efficient at drying out a Christmas tree. Even though it would be nice to have the tree near a cozy hearth, it’s better to keep it away from heat sources. Some people even go the extra step of turning down the furnace a few degrees over Christmas. You could also humidify the tree’s room during its stay.
Old school Christmas tree lights are a source of heat on their own. The incandescent bulbs are quite good at drying out the needles, so it’s best to turn them off when you’re not enjoying the decor. LED lights don’t heat up in the same way and shouldn’t affect the tree.
It’s common for people to put some kind of sugar, corn starch, or another additive in the water to keep the tree fresh. While these don’t necessarily harm the tree, recent studies show that they don’t help either. Clean water is the best choice. With enough water, a trimmed trunk, and a cool location, your tree should be happy all the way through Christmas.While a few falling needles are always part of the fun, a dry Christmas tree is not an inevitable part of Christmas. When you prevent the tree from drying out, you’ll be able to take it down before the needles make a mess of your living room. Plus, it will look fresher all the while it’s on display. For anything Christmas-related this year, including a tree, visit our garden centers in Northwest Arkansas!
