Live Christmas Tree Tips
Live Christmas trees add a bit of tradition to the holiday season and they make the house smell wonderful. To get the most out of your Tannenbaum here are a few tips you should consider:
Before You Buy
Decide where to place the tree. Avoid areas near heat sources or drafts that could dry out the tree. Place the tree away from direct sunlight and in an spot that is not a high traffic area. Also, make sure that outlets are easily accessible for plugging in lights.
Measure the area. Measure the width and height of the area. Don't forget to consider the height of the stand and topper when measuring. Be sure to measure the diameter of the stand too so you can select a trunk that fits.
Pack up some supplies. Given the previous step, be sure to bring along a tape measure. It also doesn't hurt to write down the measurements too! Also, bring along a tarp or old blanket to lay the tree on while transporting it. Take along some string or rope, in case extra is needed to secure the tree.
After You Buy
Make a cut. When you first get the tree home, cut off the bottom two inches of the trunk. This will remove dried sap and allow water to move freely up from the stand. If you're not placing the tree in a stand immediately, put it in a bucket of water.
Water it regularly. Christmas trees can consume up to a gallon of water each day! If the water level drops below the cut off trunk it can dry it out and seal off the tiny tubules that carry water up the trunk. If this happens, your tree is toast! :(
Recycle your tree. After Christmas, many towns offer to recycle Christmas trees. Basically, they grind them up to use as mulch in public spaces, and some towns even give it away for residents to use at home. This sure beats your tree taking up space in a landfill.
By following these simple steps you can ensure that your tree preforms the best it can during the Christmas season. Perhaps the most important tip I can give is to fix a cup of hot chocolate, sit back, and enjoy your tree. Christmas can be a busy time of year! Sometimes it is easy for us to forget the warm light a Christmas tree can offer on dark winter nights, and more importantly, the Light a Christmas tree represents.