Tree Care

Buy Responsibly Fresh vs. Artificial

Now a word or two about cutting live trees. Farm grown Christmas trees are a renewable resource. For every tree we cut, two saplings are planted in the same location. If trees weren’t growing there, strawberries or onions would be. We harvest from farms, not forests.

Farm raised trees provide habitat for migratory creatures, give off oxygen, and touch our souls. But to save a tree by buying artificial is to miss the point. Artificial trees rely on imported petrochemical products that befoul our landfills and seep into our groundwater, whereas live trees can be recycled as ground cover and garden mulch.

CHRISTMAS TREE CARE

  • Make sure that someone at the tree lot cuts 1/2″ off the butt before you take your tree home.
  • If you don’t plan to put your Christmas tree up right away (within 1-2 hours), cut an additional 1/2″ off the butt and stand the tree in a bucket of water in a shady area until you are ready to stand the tree in the home.
  • When you bring your Christmas tree indoors, cut another 1/2″ off the butt, place in a tree stand with a water bowl that holds at least one gallon of water.
  • DO NOT stand your Christmas tree near a fireplace, heater vents, sun facing windows or any other heat sources.
  • Always keep your Christmas tree well supplied with water. Check the water level in the stand at least two times per day. Trees may use several quarts of water a day.
  • NEVER let the water level fall below the base of the tree. If this occurs, the cut end can seal over, preventing further water intake.

CHOOSING A TREE

Keep these points in mind when choosing a specific Christmas tree:

  • Check the height of the ceiling in the room where you will display your Christmas tree. Select a tree that is at least one foot shorter than the ceiling height.
  • Run your fingers over the branch along the needles. Needles should be pliable and adhere to the branches. They should bend, but not break or fall off.
  • Shake or bounce the tree to be sure that the needles are firmly attached. If the tree is fresh, few needles should fall off. Some loss of needles inside the tree is common.
  • Avoid trees that have a wilted look.
  • Make sure that the trunk of the tree is straight. If the trunk is not straight, it will be difficult to stand the tree straight. The trunk must be six to eight inches long to allow placement in the tree stand.
  • Check for insects and dead needles inside the tree crown. Have dead needles shaken or blown out when you buy the tree.