Selection and Care of your Christmas Tree

Well, like it or not, it’s that time of year when we will be getting and setting up a Christmas tree.  If you use a real tree, here are some tips to make it look good throughout the holiday season.

Getting the tree should be the last thing you do. First, you should get the space ready in your home. Get the stand out and ready to put the tree in, because once you get it home, you want to set it up in water just as soon as possible.

You want your Christmas tree to be as fresh as possible so that it will look better, last longer, and be less of a fire hazard.

To get the freshest tree, cut one at a local Christmas tree grower. If you go to a tree lot, take your time to select a tree that has not gotten too dried out. Grab it and thump the butt end on the ground a couple of times. If lots of needles fall off, put it back and keep looking. You can also bend the needles - a fresh tree’s needles will be somewhat flexible.  A dried out tree will have needles snapping like matchsticks.

 Once you get your tree home, cut ½ inch off the bottom of the trunk and immediately put it in water.  Check the water reservoir daily and keep it filled with water.

 Keep the tree away from hot drafts and open flames.  As soon as Christmas is over, remove and recycle your tree.