Christmas Tree Maintenance

Picking out your real tree:

• Remember that trees in the lot always look smaller than they are!
• Get a smaller tree (or a more narrow tree) for high-traffic places to prevent accidents.
• Test your tree for dryness. Gently bend a branch. If it doesn't snap back, it is dry. If you run your hands along the branches and a lot of needles come off onto your hand, this is also a sign that the tree is dry.
• If you live in a warm location, choose a tree that was grown in a warm location, as it will be used to the heat.

Bringing your tree home and setting it up:

• If you live in a cold area, place your tree in the garage for a few days to acclimate it to the warmer temperature before moving inside the house.
• Check for little critters who made have made a home within your tree.
• Once you have picked out your tree and brought it home, cut one inch off the bottom of the trunk. Do it just before you are ready to place it into the stand and water. If you wait too long, the vessels will sap over, causing you to have to cut off another inch.
• Make sure your tree is in a STURDY, high-quality base. It is worth it to purchase a truly good base.
• Place your tree far away from any heat sources.
• Before decorating, it is wise to allow your tree to acclimate for at least a few hours, up to a couple days. After it is settled within your home, the branches will drop, and instead of pointing upwards, they will point straight out. This is good to know before putting your favorite fragile ornaments on the branches, just to have them fall and break.
• Water your tree DAILY. Start off with a gallon of water, and follow up with a liter every day after that.

Disposing of your real tree:

• Check with your local utilities to see if you can leave it out on the curb next to your garbage to be picked up.
• Also, check to see if there is a recycling program in your community. Often times there is a designated place to bring your tree to be turned into mulch.
• Put the tree in your own wood chipper and create mulch for your own garden.
• Allow the tree to continue drying outside and chop up the wood for firewood.

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Picking Out the RIGHT Christmas Tree for Your Family