We’re at the height of Christmas Tree Season, so our Family Life Amateur Arborists are here to weigh in with advice on getting your tree.
If you’re buying a cut tree:
Check for moisture content by picking the tree up by the trunk and forcefully hitting the bottom trunk against the ground. If a lot of needles fall off, the tree is already dried out. If the tree passes this test, break off the tip of a small branch. If the inside looks green and doesn’t snap when broken, the tree is probably fresh enough to last the season.
When picking out a tree be sure to look at the base of the tree as well as the shape. If the tree trunk is too large in diameter to fit into your stand, pass it up.
If you are cutting your own tree:
Cut it as close to the ground as possible. That leaves you with more trunk to work with when you get home.
Call your tree farm in advance and ask about insect infestation in their trees. Small Aphids, some mites and spiders lay eggs on evergreens and can hatch out in your home once the tree gets warm. Ask you tree farm if they have experienced any problems with insects and if they will refund your money if your tree turns out to be infested. If they say they will not refund your money look elsewhere.
Setting up your tree:
Cut at least an inch off the stump before putting it into your stand. Cut it off just before you put it in the stand and then add water immediately. A popular recipe for the water to help your tree live longer is, 2 gallons of HOT WATER: 2 cups of Karo syrup, 2 oz. of liquid bleach plus 2 pinches of Epsom salt, 1/2 teaspoon of Boraxo (You can get this at the supermarket), and 1 teaspoon of chelated iron (you can get this at garden centers). Some recipes call for bleach. If you use one with bleach make sure to mix it away from your living room rug.
Before setting up your tree, purchase a large tree removal bag and set the tree up on the bag. Once you remove the tree at the end of the season from the stand you can pull the bag up over the tree and avoid dropping needles all through your house.
To avoid a fire hazard, keep water in your tree at all times, inspect your wiring for missing bulbs and frayed wires, Don’t plug more strings of lights together than the package recommends as the thin cords can heat up if too many lights are on one line. Always turn your tree lights off when you go to bed and don’t keep the lights on all day. Don’t use candles close to a tree. Double check that the batteries in your smoke detectors are fresh and keep a fire large fire extinguisher nearby. Dry Christmas trees are fire hazards.
Finally, here’s a suggestion from one of the guys, who has apparently learned some wisdom from the experience. Feel free to guess who it is.
If it’s 14 or more feet tall, anchor it to the wall so that it doesn’t topple over three times before Christmas – not that that would ever happen.
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