Living on Borrowed Time

There are some Christmas fanatics our there among us. These are the people who believe decorations and holiday music can start as soon as the Thanksgiving turkey is cleared from the table. In order to help these elves out we have some tips on making your greenery last all season long.  There is nothing worse than when a tree that starts dropping its needles when you look at it the wrong way or even think about walking by it.

Live long and Prosper Fir Tree of Mine:

• Think about where you are buying your tree. If you are going to a lot, that tree might have been cut down in October. The best way is to cut a tree down yourself. This is totally not feasible to many people nor do most people even want to do it. As someone that was dragged as a child to perform this task, I can honestly say that it is not that much fun. Someone always gets lost, cut or mad.  So check to see if your lot has fresh cut trees and pay them to do the work for you.

 

• Before you put the tree in the stand, make a straight cut across the base of the trunk. Make the cut at least 4inches above the original. Sap forms over the stump and that blocks water from getting in. The fresh cut will allow plenty of water to get through (see number 1). Many tree lots will do with for you if you are not the saw wielding type. Just make sure you get it in water within 6 hours of making the cut or the thing will just sap up again. It sounds sort of like a scab right? Gross, I know

• WATER THE TREE. Sounds obvious, but really how often do you get to the tree and find it totally dry? I mean you couldn’t even keep your Chia Pet alive this summer. A tree can take up to a gallon of water a day.  

• Location is everything! Try to place your tree far from heat vents, direct sun, fireplaces, radiators and registers to keep it from drying out.

• There are different mixtures that people swear keep their trees green like a bleach mix, adding an aspirin once a day, corn syrup,  giving the tree some Sprite or even putting some beer in the stand. Feel free to try all and any at your own risk.

America's Tree

• If you didn’t listen to any of this and your tree gets dried out, you can try to drill some small holes in the base and refill the stand with water. If that doesn’t work, throw it to the curb and get a fake. I prefer this American tree.