– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension
A fresh tree can draw up 2 qts or more water on the first day in the tree stand.
Bringing the outdoors in as decoration is a popular tradition this time of year. For some, décor that looks like real plant material is a must and for others, real is the only way to go. I respect both options but given the choice, I will go for real evergreen material for our tree, wreaths, swags, and garlands. If you like to keep it real for the holidays like I do, keep on reading.
There is something special about a live tree at Christmas. Most are pleasantly fragrant, each is unique, and a wide variety of choices are available to suit your preferences. When selecting a tree for your home here are some helpful tips that you can keep in mind for a smooth transition:
Measure-Think about where you want to put the tree before you bring one home. Measure the space and then take a tape measure with you and verify that the tree you choose will fit.
Fresher is Better– A fresh tree should have rich color and flexible needles. Very few needles should fall from the tree when shaken. Once the tree is cut it begins to produce resin (a.k.a. “sap”) to seal the wound created by the cut. While this helps seal in moisture for a temporary time period, it must be removed in order to draw up additional water through the trunk. It is always a good idea to remove at least one inch of the trunk before placing your tree in water at home.
Check for Hitchhikers– Check for and remove any insect structures and/or bird’s nests (use gloves), before decorating with live greenery to help prevent accidental home invaders. Remember that any pests you encounter on an evergreen tree chose the tree as their habitat. Therefore, most hitchhikers in your house would not become a residential pest. If you have been trapsing about the tree farm or forest looking for the perfect greenery, you also want to check your body for hitchhiking ticks. Ticks are active all year round in grassy and wooded areas. If wildlife may have been in the area, ticks could be too. It may seem odd to wear insect repellent while choosing your Christmas tree, but I highly recommend it.
Keep Your Tree Watered– Your tree stand should be able to hold at least 1 gallon of water. A fresh tree can draw up 2 quarts or more of water on the first day in the tree stand. Check the water level regularly (daily is ideal). The water line should always meet the cut trunk and never sit below the trunk. Water additives to preserve the tree are not necessary and have not been proven to increase needle retention. Plain tap water is sufficient. A dry tree is a fire hazard and also a mess to remove from your home. Remember that lights on the tree create heat, which could increase the risk of a fire. Damaged cords and overloaded outlets are also concerns. Mini lights and LED lights produce less heat than traditional bulbs, but it is still a good idea to turn lights off at night and when no one is home to reduce the risk of fire.
Consider Recycling: You can save the trimmings off your live tree to make other holiday décor! A simple swag can easily be made from a stray branch or two, some ribbon, and a bell or bow. After the greenery has fulfilled its purpose, consider recycling the remaining material. Evergreens make great composed mulch and also can enhance wildlife habitats.
Here are some quick tips for keeping other evergreen décor fresh through the holidays:
- Some plants that work well for crafting fresh arrangements include: cedars, firs, holly, ivy, junipers, magnolia, pine, spruce, arborvitae, hemlock, and cypress.
- Never place evergreen foliage near heat sources because it is highly flammable.
- Soak the branches in water overnight before working with the material. This will rehydrate the plant tissues, keeping your decor fresher for longer.
- Let the surface of the foliage dry and if desired, spray it with a preservative to seal in the moisture. This usually not necessary if the foliage is fresh cut prior to adding it to décor.
- Keep in mind that some evergreen berries are poisonous if consumed, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- To extend the life of your arrangements keep them in a cool location and avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or directly on glass. You can still do this, but the needles will dry quicker.
- Add fresh or dried fruit or flowers to your personal taste or dress up the display with bows or holiday ornaments.