Preparing Your Christmas Tree

With Thanksgiving soon upon us, it is once again time to be thinking about the “most wonderful time of the year”.  With that often includes many people visiting us looking for that special tree to make their home feel festive this holiday season.  We wanted to give you a little background regarding how to keep your tree fresh and help it to last as long as it can this Christmas season.

One primary thing that needs to be done to Christmas trees to give them the best success indoors is that any tree needs to have a “fresh-cut” made on the bottom of the trunk.  When these trees are cut after a few days they form a strong sap plug on the trunk. This works well as a natural preservation process but it prevents the tree from drinking new water and nutrients and staying hydrated.  This leads to a dry tree which is the concern many have who are against real trees.

To get your tree to begin drinking again it is best to perform this “fresh-cut” and then get the tree into the water as quickly as possible.  It is best to get the tree into water within an hour or so from having been cut. This does not mean that the tree has to come inside. The tree could stay in a garage or area that is still above freezing but is cool.  The tree, once it begins to drink water, may relax quite a bit more than it was when you picked it out.  

“ It is best to get the tree into water within an hour or so from having been cut. ”

There are also products that are floral preservatives that can help your tree stay viable longer.  We have a powder product called Tree Life that is available. That powder packet should be dissolved, one packet into a gallon of water.  We often use hot or warm water to help the powder dissolve more effectively.

We find it helpful to use this preservative every-time we fill the stand with water for at least the first week of it being inside.  You should expect the tree to drink the most water in the first 24 to 48 hrs after you bring the tree inside. Remember to always keep the stand full of water. A hydrated tree will not support a flame.

We look forward to having you visit us this holiday season.  We enjoy sharing this festive time of year with you and your families.

“Remember to always keep the stand full of water. A hydrated tree will not support a flame.”