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Tips for Caring for Christmas Trees

Posted: 12/8/2020

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Ready to commit to caring for a festive fresh-cut fir this Christmas?

When your tannenbaum is first cut, more than half its weight is water. That statistic shows how important it is to keep your tree adequately hydrated to ensure it stays fresh throughout the season.

Our member Binley Florist located at 773 Quaker Road in Queensbury has a beautiful selection of fresh-cut trees available. They also have fresh balsam wreaths in 10-inch, 12-inch, 14-inch, 16-inch, 18-inch, and 24-inch sizes in stock. Check out their selection of poinsettias in many sizes and colors as well.

Below are some basic tips to help you create lasting holiday memories that don’t include stepping on sharp needles!

Make sure your tree has plenty to drink!

Fresh trees should be cut at least 1/2 inch from the base of the tree before being placed in a stand with water, otherwise what’s called a “sap plug” will form preventing the tree from taking in water. It’s best to put the tree in water as soon as possible, but most tree species can go 6 to 8 hours after the fresh cut and still drink water. Take care to keep the cut surface clean.

Check the water daily and add water as necessary. If the water drops below the trunk bottom, a new sap plug will form.

Do not cut or shave the bark from the sides of the trunk. Check the water daily and add water as necessary. As a general rule, choose a stand that holds at least 1 quart of water per inch of the tree stem’s diameter, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Keeping your tree watered helps it retain its needles.

Do not shave the bark from the sides of the trunk. The temperature of water used to fill the stand does not affect water intake.

Safe Placement

Keep the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, direct sunlight, and other heat sources that can dry the tree. Lowering the room temperature a bit can slow the drying process and result in less water consumption. Also, choosing lights that produce low heat can help keep the tree fresh.

More Safety Tips from the National Christmas Tree Association

Take care not to overload electrical circuits.
Turn off the tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is very dry, remove it from the house.
Don’t burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

Renewable Resource

Genuine trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals and eventually find their way to landfills. For every Christmas tree harvested, an average of 2 seedlings are planted in its place. There are approximately 1 million acres in the United States reserved for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen for an average of 18 people, according to the Christmas Tree Farm Network.

When the holidays are over, your biodegradable tree can be reused or recycled for mulch. Check your community for curbside pickup/ recycling programs.

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News Blog

Tips for Caring for Christmas Trees

Make sure your tree has plenty to drink!

Safe Placement

More Safety Tips from the National Christmas Tree Association

Renewable Resource

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