how to care for a real christmas tree.
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1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
That's about it.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
That's about it.
JHZR2
Staff member
yeah. The bottom seals up quick (bleeds sap), so cut the base off immediately before putting it into the stand, and then get water into it immediately.
Folks sell products to supposedly help absorption, and Ive seen Aspirin, sugar and other things recommended. IMO the most important is to not let it run out of water, which can be tough to prevent if the tree is thirsty...
Folks sell products to supposedly help absorption, and Ive seen Aspirin, sugar and other things recommended. IMO the most important is to not let it run out of water, which can be tough to prevent if the tree is thirsty...
Water and pet-proofing are the main things. It doesn't need food since it's dead, just water to keep it from drying out and becoming a pile of kindling that can take your house down with it.
If you have pets, be prepared for what they will do/attempt to do to the tree. Cats like to eat the needles, then go throw up. Some cats and dogs may mark the tree by urinating on it. This is the sort of thing pets generally like to destroy any way they can.
Other than that, just fire safety. Don't let it dry out, don't run a space heater or any open flame/open heating element near it.
If you have pets, be prepared for what they will do/attempt to do to the tree. Cats like to eat the needles, then go throw up. Some cats and dogs may mark the tree by urinating on it. This is the sort of thing pets generally like to destroy any way they can.
Other than that, just fire safety. Don't let it dry out, don't run a space heater or any open flame/open heating element near it.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Water and pet-proofing are the main things. It doesn't need food since it's dead, just water to keep it from drying out and becoming a pile of kindling that can take your house down with it.
If you have pets, be prepared for what they will do/attempt to do to the tree. Cats like to eat the needles, then go throw up. Some cats and dogs may mark the tree by urinating on it. This is the sort of thing pets generally like to destroy any way they can.
Other than that, just fire safety. Don't let it dry out, don't run a space heater or any open flame/open heating element near it.
one of the vents is near its, within a few feet I guess I should relocate?
Water and pet-proofing are the main things. It doesn't need food since it's dead, just water to keep it from drying out and becoming a pile of kindling that can take your house down with it.
If you have pets, be prepared for what they will do/attempt to do to the tree. Cats like to eat the needles, then go throw up. Some cats and dogs may mark the tree by urinating on it. This is the sort of thing pets generally like to destroy any way they can.
Other than that, just fire safety. Don't let it dry out, don't run a space heater or any open flame/open heating element near it.
one of the vents is near its, within a few feet I guess I should relocate?
If it's not blowing hot air directly on the tree and has a few feet of spacing, it's probably fine. The most that will do is make the tree dry, but if you keep it watered it will be okay.
Space heaters are more risky since the heating element itself is close, and a stray needle or something coming into contact with it could light something up. With the vents from the furnace/heat pump/whatever HVAC you run though, the only real risk is drying the tree out. I think that would only be an issue if you put the tree basically on top of the vent or run your heat at 85* or something like that.
Space heaters are more risky since the heating element itself is close, and a stray needle or something coming into contact with it could light something up. With the vents from the furnace/heat pump/whatever HVAC you run though, the only real risk is drying the tree out. I think that would only be an issue if you put the tree basically on top of the vent or run your heat at 85* or something like that.
I used to drill a few 1/2" holes in the bottom about 1" deep , it seemed it could absorb water better . I also used to add a bit of sugar to the water as well .
Some years back there was an additive for the water that really helped but don't recall what it was or if it's still available .
Went to a plastic tree some years back .
Some years back there was an additive for the water that really helped but don't recall what it was or if it's still available .
Went to a plastic tree some years back .
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Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
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Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
Funny to see what everyone does. I've always put sugar in the water mix after cutting.
Either way, a hands grab of the needles will tell you if its dry or soaking up water. Keep it wet and you should be good to go. We cut a fresh one day after Thanksgiving and it lasts til Jan 2nd.
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
Funny to see what everyone does. I've always put sugar in the water mix after cutting.
Either way, a hands grab of the needles will tell you if its dry or soaking up water. Keep it wet and you should be good to go. We cut a fresh one day after Thanksgiving and it lasts til Jan 2nd.
We went back to real trees about 4 years ago after 20+ years of artificial. The lot where we get our tree sells a Christmas tree preservative to add to the water for like $5 a bottle (enough for a season). Not sure what's in it, but it seems to work. We've never had a needle shedding issue in 4 years, and we keep our tree from Thanksgiving weekend until after Christmas. I remember years ago with plain water, it would be looking pretty threadbare by Christmas.
With LED lights I don't worry near as much about fire as I used to (which is why we had artificial for all those years), but its still good to know the tree has more moisture in it than just plain water.
With LED lights I don't worry near as much about fire as I used to (which is why we had artificial for all those years), but its still good to know the tree has more moisture in it than just plain water.
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
Funny to see what everyone does. I've always put sugar in the water mix after cutting.
Either way, a hands grab of the needles will tell you if its dry or soaking up water. Keep it wet and you should be good to go. We cut a fresh one day after Thanksgiving and it lasts til Jan 2nd.
How much sugar per 1 gallon of water?
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
4. I mix about 30% 7 UP or Sprite in with the water.
Funny to see what everyone does. I've always put sugar in the water mix after cutting.
Either way, a hands grab of the needles will tell you if its dry or soaking up water. Keep it wet and you should be good to go. We cut a fresh one day after Thanksgiving and it lasts til Jan 2nd.
How much sugar per 1 gallon of water?
Do you have a good stand? I've never been fond of those flimsy stamped sheet metal legged ones. We have a cast iron base (from back when they were still made in the USA). It works great. You have to drill a locating hole in the base of the tree, that fits on a small cone cast into the cup of the tree stand. This keeps the bottom of the tree elevated a bit off the base of the cup and allows micrometer-like adjustment for getting the tree to stand straight up. Plus, it's good and heavy, a nice anchor for the tree.
If you get one, dry it at the end of the season and put a little oil on the screw threads before you put it away. You'll probably have it 25+ years like us.
Whatever you get, a good stand is essential.
If you get one, dry it at the end of the season and put a little oil on the screw threads before you put it away. You'll probably have it 25+ years like us.
Whatever you get, a good stand is essential.
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
That's about it.
Do exactly what he says!
I had a choose and cut Christmas tree farm for 25 years, I know!
1. Cut about 1/2" off the bottom before putting it in the tree stand. This helps the tree absorb the water better.
2. Keep the tree away from sources of heat that could dry it out, such as a wood stove, radiator, or heater vent.
3. Keep the water full
That's about it.
Do exactly what he says!
I had a choose and cut Christmas tree farm for 25 years, I know!
Re-reading this thread I now remember my grandmother putting a plain Bayer Aspirin in the water.
I would save the Bayer Asprin for a hangover.
Certain trees will heal itself when cut with sap for protection. What happens when sap is formed it doesn't absorb water it becomes a protective layer. So you want a clean fresh cut and you don't want it to heal so it can absorb water. Soaking it in water prevents it from healing.
Trees can store nutrients and moisture, it can survive without nutrients and moisture for an extended time they do so in nature.
Just add water...what ever nutrients in the tree is there it's stored.
Trees can store nutrients and moisture, it can survive without nutrients and moisture for an extended time they do so in nature.
Just add water...what ever nutrients in the tree is there it's stored.
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Originally Posted By: linkbelt
I would save the Bayer Asprin for a hangover.
LOL I used Excedrin for that.
I would save the Bayer Asprin for a hangover.
LOL I used Excedrin for that.
The soda, bleach and aspirin stuff may have something to do with bacteria growth in water. Lower water ph slows bacteria growth, bleach as a sterilizer.
It maybe but also need to understand that fresh cut flowers are a lot weaker than say a Christmas tree. Having fresh water is always a plus preventing bacteria growth.
Say growing mangrove in glass jars with water. The mangrove can suck so much water so it's wise to change the water every 3 days.
A Christmas tree you maybe filling it up everyday or two. Having fresh water is the key.
It maybe but also need to understand that fresh cut flowers are a lot weaker than say a Christmas tree. Having fresh water is always a plus preventing bacteria growth.
Say growing mangrove in glass jars with water. The mangrove can suck so much water so it's wise to change the water every 3 days.
A Christmas tree you maybe filling it up everyday or two. Having fresh water is the key.
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