However, the jury is still out on additives with some experts arguing that such substances are unnecessary for keeping your Christmas tree alive.ĥ. Some people even add aspirin to the water. Others have said that they’ve had success by mixing a tablespoon of corn syrup or sugar into the water as a food source for the tree. Feed the tree.Īndersen points out that some people swear by commercial Christmas tree preservatives, which can be mixed into the water in the stand. So, a tree with a 4-inch-diameter trunk will soak up a gallon of water every day. In fact, a recent University of Wisconsin study confirms that watering works.Ī Christmas tree typically absorbs about one quart of water for each inch of its diameter. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresh, so be sure to check the water level every day. Either set the tree into its stand or place it in a bucket of water if you’re not going to decorate it right away. Immediately upon bringing the tree home, be sure to put it in water if you want to keep your Christmas tree alive. And if you have a choice of Christmas tree farms, choose an organic farm, which doesn’t use harmful pesticides or chemicals. If you buy from a local farm, you’ll also preserve local jobs and open space, and cut down on shipping costs-not to mention the carbon emissions of long-distance truck transport. “A cut-your-own tree guarantees freshness, and by going to a local farm, you know it’s going to be sustainable, so trees will be replanted, and it’ll be a selective harvest,” says Mark Derowitsch, a spokesman for the Arbor Day Foundation. Of course, the very best way to ensure your tree is fresh is to cut your own from a local tree farm. If a shower of needles drops off, keep looking. Here’s another good indicator of freshness: Lift the tree several inches off the ground and firmly bang it on the ground. Avoid any tree with dry and brittle needles. Be sure to inspect the tree by feeling its needles, which should be flexible and firmly attached. If the trees were cut more than three or four weeks ago, shop elsewhere. If you’re buying a pre-cut tree from a nursery, retail store, church group, or scout troop, ask how recently the trees were harvested and where they came from. Many Christmas trees are harvested weeks in advance and shipped great distances to local markets. This is the most important step for keeping a Christmas tree alive.
(A tannenbaum, by the way, is a fir tree.) If you’re looking for ways to keep your Christmas tree alive for longer, here are some simple steps to ensure your tannenbaum doesn’t become a tannen-bummer. A fresh tree not only smells nicer than a dry, brittle tree, but it’ll also drop fewer needles, remain greener longer, and pose much less of a fire hazard. If you’re one of the nearly 30 million households who will be getting a live Christmas tree this year, it’s important to keep the tree fresh throughout the entire holiday season.
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