During the holidays, you can spruce up your space with garlands, stockings, mistletoe, and the like, but nothing brings in holiday cheer and excitement more than a real Christmas tree.
With their pleasing fragrance and the fresh oxygen they provide, using real trees can brighten up your place. If you’re planning to take a fresh Christmas tree home, it’s necessary to care for it properly to make sure it survives throughout the entire season.
Selecting the Right Christmas Tree
It’s understandable to want to have the perfect tree once Christmas comes around. Take note of the following tips to pick the right one:
- Choose Carefully
People can have different preferences over the shape of the trees. You may prefer the ones that are perfectly-shaped, or at least look close to perfect. For those types, you may also have to pay more. Whichever shape you’re planning to select, make sure that it fits your budget and that it’s what your house needs.
- How High Is Your Ceiling?
Some people immediately go for the tallest tree they can find when it’s time to bring one home. Unfortunately, you might not be able to put an angel or a star at the top if it’s too tall for your home. Before doing anything, make sure to measure the height of your ceiling. Take note of the stand you’re going to use and the area you’re planning to place the tree.
- Check Its Freshness
Evaluate the tree’s freshness by doing one of the following:
- Look for loose needles – A sign of an old tree is a loss of needles, but this is not foolproof. Trees experience high amounts of stress when they’re cut and shipped, so losing them is natural.
- Bend a needle in half – Another way to test its freshness is to pull out and bend a firmly connected needle in half. It should snap if it’s from a fresh tree.
- Seek its sap – After cutting, the tree would stop producing sap and continue using it until little remains. Check its parts for the fluid. Try hugging it, and if you’re sticky and covered in it, then it’s still new.
- Cut and Water
Make a cut that’s at least an inch deep in the trunk. Mount and straighten it before getting it home. Get it into the water as soon as you can to prevent the trunk from scabbing over, which can keep the tree from absorbing the liquid. There should always be water in its basin.
- Keep Away from Sunlight
Prevent any discolouration from occurring by keeping your tree away from harsh sunlight and warm drafts from vents or other heat sources. Exposing it to these elements may also shorten its lifespan.
Looking After Your Christmas Tree
After setting up and decorating your tree, make sure that it stays fresh and healthy for as long as it can. Here are some ways to take care of your Christmas tree:
- Keep Watering the Tree
The tree can drink up to 3.7 litres on its first day. You’ll have to add water to the basin almost every day. Watering it regularly also makes it less dry and less likely to combust. Having a tree watering system will help indicate the water’s current level, make it easy to add more water when needed, and increase the water capacity of your stand.
- Look Out For Sap Leakage
Another Christmas tree care tip to keep in mind is to look out for any sap leakage. While it’s a good indicator of your tree’s freshness, the sap that leaks from it can also stick onto your floor coverings or nearby furniture. It can be challenging to remove it, especially if it’s been there for some time. Check occasionally to catch any leakages.
- Clean Up After Fallen Needles
Over time, you’ll notice that needles will fall and collect on the floor around the tree. Gather them with a brush and dustpan or a handheld vacuum. A large vacuum may get more of them, but they might clog up and even break it. Using a smaller vacuum will help you prevent this as you keep emptying it. Cleaning up after them also helps keep infants and curious pets away from any potential danger.
Once the holiday season ends, there are different ways for you to recycle your Christmas tree.
Caring for a Potted Christmas Tree
Instead of having a tree cut this year, you may also choose to buy a container-grown Christmas tree. For these living plants to survive, you’ll have to be just as careful so you can use them again next year.
- Prepare for Moving Indoors
Don’t immediately bring your container-grown Christmas tree inside your house. Keep it outside until a few days before the holiday since potted Christmas trees shouldn’t be kept indoors for more than 7 to 10 days at most. Move it first to your garage so it can adjust to indoor temperatures.
Check for any insects or insect eggs and remove them. Keep watering your tree during the transition. Before placing it inside your space, shake your tree to get rid of any loose needles.
- Consider Before Choosing
There are several things to consider before choosing which container-grown Christmas tree you’d like to have at home. If you plan to keep it outside after the holidays, visit your local garden centre. Ask for their advice regarding which type of fir would best suit your landscape.
Additionally, see if the potted Christmas tree was actually grown in its container or if it was recently dug up and put in a pot. While potted trees will be healthier, those dug up and potted are less likely to thrive.
- Looking After a Potted Christmas Tree in Your Home
Keep your potted Christmas tree cool and away from direct sunlight, heaters, and radiators. Choose LED lights to protect it from the heat and use lighter ornaments so they won’t damage or weigh down your tree.
Check the basin’s water level and make sure there are 1 to 2 inches of water at the bottom of the container. Continue watering it by spraying water onto the branches and leaves of your tree. Be careful when spraying near ornaments and lights.
- Planting It Outside
Find the right spot that can hold your tree and protect it from high winds while still allowing it to receive adequate sunlight. Dig a hole before the soil freezes. Take the tree out from indoors as soon as possible. Slowly transition it from inside your home to outdoors by moving it back to your garage.
Remove its container once you’re ready to replant, then plant the tree in the hole. Fill it in using the original soil and spread about 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the top. If your area is dry during winter, keep watering your tree.
Using a live Christmas tree can help complete the holiday look for your home. Whether it’s been cut or grown in a container, knowing how to take care of your tree is essential so you can make the most of it.
Before adding any more species to your garden, check to see if you have enough space. If you’re thinking of replacing a tree, you may need professional tree removal services. For this, call Dave Lund Tree Service and Forestry Co Ltd. We’re a family-owned and operated tree company offering reliable tree services for more than 40 :years. Give us a call at (905) 884-0511 or email us at info@davelundtreeservice.com.