should i water my christmas tree with hot water

Should i water my christmas tree with hot water how to#

The tree should have a fragrance and a good green colour.Ħ.Ě fresh tree will retain its moisture content and thereby keep its fragrance and needles if kept in a stand that has good water-holding capacity. (Inside needles shed naturally every year).ĥ. Older outside needles should not fall in substantial numbers. Lift the tree a couple of inches off the ground, then bring it down abruptly on the stump end. The needle should form a 'U' without breaking unless the tree is frozen.Ĥ. Needles should adhere to the branch and not fall off in your hand.ģ.ěend a needle between your forefinger and thumb. Pull your hand toward you allowing the branch to slip through your fingers. Take hold of a branch about six inches from the tip, between thumb and forefinger. With this in mind, you will be able to tell how tall a tree you will need and whether all four sides must be suitable for display.Ģ.ğreshness is an important key when selecting your tree. It doesn’t harm the tree and you can decide if it helps extend the life of your tree.A few simple procedures can make the selection of a fresh, real Christmas tree easier:ġ.ĝetermine where in your home you will display your tree.

Some people swear by adding a water additive like “Tree Life” to the water to help with needle retention.

Before placing your lights on the tree hold them with the lights grouped together while turned on and feel the heat they create.

Keep the tree away from a window with direct, warming sunlight.

The best spot in the house for your tree is one that is away from a heat source like a radiator vent.

Keep them in mind when you bring your tree home and you’ll ensure longer-lasting freshness. These tips might seem obvious but are often overlooked as we find space to showcase our beautiful tree. “We actually sell a stand with alignment screws that have a special feature so that the bolt will press lightly against the tree trunk and not screw into the tree,” he says. The mechanisms for keeping the tree properly aligned need to be simple to use and adjust as needed. “The best tree stands have a solid base and a large enough water bowl to keep the tree hydrated,” explains John. Using a hefty tree stand goes a long way to ensuring not only stability of the tree, but helping the watering process.

“The bigger problem would be if the tree dried up for even one day, the tree would no longer be able to take up additional water.” Get A Quality Tree Stand: “A tree can’t be overwatered,” John says. The water basin of the stand should be sufficiently large that the very bottom of the tree will always remain immersed in water. After that, water and water often.Ī freshly-cut six-to-seven foot tree can take in over a quart of water a day. Make sure to get a cut tree in water as soon as possible. Watering your Christmas Tree:Īs you can probably expect, water is essential to a thriving tree. Actually, the bark helps maintain moisture better than a bare stem. There is no need to remove the bark at the base of the tree before placing the tree in the stand. “This will allow the tree to soak up water a little better.” “A fresh cut on the base should remove the naturally occurring sap that may have dried out at the base of the tree,” says John. And just prior to placing the tree in the stand, make one more cut of ¼ to ½ inch. When selecting your tree to be cut, avoid trees with brown or dry needles. “They have a strong, lasting fragrance, sturdy needles, and with proper care has a good display life.”ĭon’t let that keep you from selecting other favorites like the White Pine known for its soft needles making it a very child-friendly tree, or the vibrant Scotch Pine loved for its blue-green appearance. “Fir trees are a hearty tree and have many great qualities,” says John Hensler, a 40-year veteran tree grower and owner of Hensler Nursery. It’s true that some trees are heartier than others when it comes to staying fresh over the course of a few weeks.

Should i water my christmas tree with hot water how to#

And we’re going to tell you how to do it! Before You Cut Your Christmas Tree: Turns out you can reasonably keep a cut Christmas tree fresh for many weeks if you take a few extra steps to ensure its livelihood.

Whether you’ve put up your beautiful Christmas tree weeks in advance or just a few days prior to December 25, chances are you want to know how make this tree last and looking its best.