How to Keep Your Live Christmas Tree Fresh

Sep 26th 2018

There are so many great options for Christmas trees these days, including both artificial and live trees. If you enjoy having the look, smell, and feel of the “real deal”, here are some tips that can help you keep your real pine tree fresh for as long as possible:

Start From the Beginning

When shopping for your perfect Christmas trees, make sure you’re able to get a good look at the choices. Then, learn about when they were cut. Opt for organic trees with no pesticides. Keep an eye out for those with lush, green needles and very few (if any) browning needles. Once you’ve selected a good candidate, feel the branches in your hands and make sure the green needles don’t shed easily (flexible, but not brittle). Finally, raise the tree just a few inches off the ground and drop it back down, taking note if a large amount of green needles have fallen off. A strong, healthy, undamaged tree shouldn’t shed much at this stage and will be much more likely to last through the holiday season.

Trim the Trunk

When trees have been cut, they develop a layer of resin at the bottom of the trunk, making it harder for them to absorb water. When you bring the tree home, trim about an inch up from the trunk to remove the resin. If you’re not putting it up right away, place in warm water and in a relatively unheated area such as a garage or basement (be sure to keep away from freezing temperatures, wind, or sunlight). Once the tree is ready to be displayed, trim the trunk once more and place in a live tree stand with about one quart of water for every inch of the tree trunk’s diameter.

Keep Up on Water Levels

To avoid the risk of resin build-up on the base of the tree trunk, be sure to keep the water level above the base of the trunk. For an extra bit of protection, use distilled water for your tree instead of tap.

Avoid the Heat

While it’s quite picturesque to set up a Christmas tree by the fireplace, you might want to avoid this tactic if the fireplace is used regularly. Heat sources such as fireplaces, vents, and air ducts can dry out trees, reducing their freshness and leading to shedding needles. A potential way to combat this, however, is to run a humidifier nearby to keep moisture in the air.

Take Down Your Tree Before it Dries Out

Once your Christmas tree begins to dry out, it’s a good idea to take it down soon after. The drier the tree, the more fallen pine needles there will be to vacuum up. Not only can this be a pain, but pine needles can be hazardous for households with pets and small children. It’s always better to be on the safe side!

While they can be a bit more work, real pine trees are a classic option for decorating for Christmas. If you’re thinking about skipping the maintenance and making the switch to artificial trees this year, however, check out our large selection of lifelike pine Christmas trees.