yule tree.

I think I made it pretty clear in this post that I like to enjoy the Christmas Season for as long as possible. Four weeks just isn’t enough time! So, last Friday I did the big tsk-tsk and took down all of the condo’s fall decorations, cleaned, and then brought all of our CHRISTMAS decorations out of hiding the closet. YAY!  I spent all evening making bows, hanging wreaths, and stringing lights—pretty much turning our abode into a wintery wonderland. There is only one thing still missing: the Christmas tree. Have no fear, this is one tradition that I am willing to wait on until after Thanksgiving. We are three days away from Thanksgiving, which means that we are three days away from buying our Christmas tree! Yes, friends, I have been counting down the days. Seeing that we put the tree up earlier than most, our biggest feat is keeping the tree fresh and alive during the holiday season. It would be SO much easier to put up an artificial tree each year, but it just isn’t the same. Don’t you agree? There is something about the smell of fresh Frasier fir, the drooping of the branches from the weight of ornaments, watching the cats drink the water from the tree stand, and finding fir needles all over the condo (okay, that was a stretch. I don’t enjoy that part at all) that makes me covet a real Christmas tree. So, if you are like me and like to keep your Christmas memories alive by putting up your tree the day after Thanksgiving, here are some helpful hints from "The Daily Green" for keeping your tree alive:


1. Handling

Once you have your tree, it's important to start taking care of it right away. Tchukki Andersen, a staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association, suggests wrapping it in a plastic tarp to protect it for the journey home. If you bought a pre-cut tree, it's important to make a cut across the bottom, removing an inch or an inch and a half off the bottom. That's because once it is cut, the sap in the tree will start sealing over the base, and this will hinder its ability to absorb water. According to Andersen, that process takes about three hours. As long as you live reasonably close, you can ask the dealer to make the cut for you.


2. Watering

As soon as possible, get the tree in water. Either set it up in its stand or place it in a bucket if you aren't going to trim it right away. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresher. (A recent university study even confirms that watering works.) According to Derowitsch, a rough rule of thumb is that a typical tree might absorb a quart of water for each inch of its diameter. This means many stands need to be topped off daily. As a last resort, if your tree does end up getting dried out in its stand, you can try drilling some shallow holes at the base and refilling with water.


3. To Feed or Not to Feed?

Andersen points out that some people swear by commercial Christmas tree preservatives, which can be mixed into the water in the stand. "Many people have found success in their tree longevity by mixing a tablespoon of corn syrup or sugar in the basin water as a food source for the tree," she added. (Some people say they use aspirin.) However, the jury is still out on this procedure, with some experts arguing that adding such substances "doesn't do anything." Derowitsch told The Daily Green that using additives is "totally unnecessary."

4. Setting

Keep the tree away from direct sunlight, heaters or fans, as these will speed up the drying process. Andersen suggests using a room humidifier, which can help keep the needles fresher longer, as well as reduce fire risk. Speaking of fire risk, make sure any lights you put on the tree are in good working order, and are designed for the purpose. Newer LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights cost only pennies a season to run, so they are a good value, while they also decrease fire risk because they stay cooler. Also make sure to keep any open flames away from the tree.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/keep-christmas-tree-fresh#ixzz1eOWzEtIz