Home & Garden Tips
Tips on the selection, care of Christmas trees
By Roosevelt McWilliams County Extension Agent

Since the beginning of time, trees of all kinds have symbolized life. Evergreen came to symbolize immortality, because they did not die when winter came. To celebrate this triumph of life over death, people began bringing the evergreens into their homes. The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree dates back to the 1500's in Europe.

To insure a safe and happy holiday season, here are a few tips on the selection and care of fresh Christmas trees. Following these suggestions will make choosing a fresh tree more fun and you will get the best value for your money.

How to select a fresh tree

• Determine where in your home you will display your tree so that you will be able to tell what size and shape you need.

• Do a freshness test. Hold a branch about 6 inches from the tip. Pull your hand toward the tip, allowing the branch to slip through your fingers. Very few green needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh.

• Another freshness test is to lift the tree a couple of inches off the ground, then bring it down abruptly on the stump end. The outside green needles should not fall off in substantial numbers. Remember, inside needles do turn brown and shed naturally every year.

How to care for a fresh tree

• The most important thing to remember is that real trees need water just like a fresh bouquet of flowers. Make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk ¼ inch up from the original cut. When a tree is first cut, a seal of sap occurs naturally over its stump, which keeps moisture in the tree. It's important to break that seal to allow the tree to take up water needed to keep it fresh throughout the holidays.

• Until you are ready to decorate, keep your tree outdoors, standing in a bucket of water and protected from the wind and sun. This will help the tree retain its moisture.

• Keep plenty of water in the stand. A Christmas tree may absorb a gallon of water in the first 24 hours it's up and between two pints to a gallon of water a day thereafter. Check the stand daily and supply fresh water as needed. If the water supply runs out, a seal will form on the cut surface of the tree trunk and a new cut should be made.

• Position your tree away from the heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and television sets.