How to Care for your Live Christmas Tree

Thank You for purchasing your Christmas Tree from Tom’s Eldon Landscaping.
$2 from this sale will be donated to the Stratford Salvation Army Family Services to help families less fortunate this holiday season.

Tree Care :

Not planning on putting it up right away?

Keep it out of the sunlight - Do not leave a cut Christmas tree lying in the sunshine for long periods of time, especially if air temperatures are warm. Fresh trees dry rapidly in those circumstances.

Keep it in water - If a tree cannot be immediately displayed in water, make a fresh cut on the base of the trunk, and stand it in a bucket of water in a cool, shaded location, either indoors or outdoors. When the tree is displayed in a water holding stand, a second fresh cut is probably unnecessary, but might enhance water uptake.

Ready to display?

Cut off a disk of wood about 0.5 to 1 inch (1.25 to 2.5 cm) thick from the base of the trunk immediately before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Do not cut at an angle, or into a v-shape, this makes it far more difficult to hold the tree stump in the stand, and reduces the amount of water available to the tree.

Always keep the tree stand filled with water.  How much water? A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the 24 hours after it is cut, and one or more quarts everyday after. Maintaining a steady water level prevents the needles from drying out and dropping off and the boughs from drooping. Water will also keep the tree fragrant. Do not allow the water pan to empty or go below the tree base
Cold water - Do not use hot water in the stand; it is of no benefit. No chemicals - Do not use chemicals in the stand to prevent evaporation. Water moves into the trunk at the lower cut end, and eventually evaporates (transpires) from the foliage.

Fire Prevention & Safety Measures?

Keep away from heat - Keep displayed trees away from point sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow drying, resulting in less water consumption.

Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house.

Pets - Keep pets out of the room in which the tree is placed, especially if you can't be there to supervise. Cats are known for leaping onto Christmas trees, especially when pursued by another pet. Use a ceiling hook to keep the tree from toppling. Both cats and dogs can knock down and break glass ornaments, then cut themselves on the pieces. Pets may also gnaw on electrical cords for Christmas tree lights.

Back to Christmas Tree Main

Thanks to: http://www.christmastree.org/care.cfm