‘Tis the season to be jolly and all that. ‘Tis not the season for dried-out Christmas trees dropping needles all over your apartment. You have enough online shopping to do, presents to wrap and cards to write. Nobody has time for excessive vacuuming! So, keep reading about how to keep a Christmas tree alive.
No matter what size or style of Christmas tree you choose, you must care for it to keep it at its best for the whole holiday season. Fortunately, it’s not that tough to do, as long as you make good choices from the very beginning. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the Christmas tree shopping experience, and visit multiple lots if you have to.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to keep a Christmas tree alive in your apartment and so festive-looking that the Grinch will be fuming.
Choose wisely
Selecting the perfect Christmas tree for your apartment is about more than just first impressions. It’s so important to inspect the tree carefully to make sure you head home with a healthy tree with max longevity potential. So, make sure you do the following before strapping it to your car!
Shake it up
If a tree looks good to you, take the next step and shake it slightly. A few needles hitting the ground are no biggie if they’re brown. However, a lot of green needles a-falling means that it hasn’t been properly watered. And who knows how long that’s been going on?
How nice are the needles?
Next, check out the needles. They should be pliable to the touch, but if you bend them hard they should snap right in half. Overly stiff needles indicate an unhealthy tree. The same goes for a tree with needles that you can easily pull off. Avoid trees with many needles that are already losing their color. Such a tree probably has one foot in death’s door.
Bend the branches
Next, do a flexibility test on some of the outer branches. If they snap too easily it’s already brittle.
Look (and smell) closely
Other indicators of a dry or unhealthy tree are wrinkled bark or a musty odor. Thank you, next!
Get rid of bugs
Once you’ve found the one you love, give it a really good shake to knock off any bugs. Do the same once you get home before the tree goes inside.
Cut it up
Before you leave the lot, make sure they cut a one-half-inch section from the base of the tree. This step is pretty standard on tree lots and actually helps to open the tree back up to accept water.
Have a nice soak
Once the tree reaches home, resist the urge to plop it right in the tree stand. Instead, put some water in a bucket and prop the tree up in it for a few hours.
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Continue the care
A dry, unhealthy Christmas tree is more than just an eyesore — it’s also a fire hazard. When properly maintained, a Christmas tree should remain festive for five weeks. Keep it at its jingle-jangle best by following these simple steps.
Water, water, water
Cacti excepting, no plants do well without water. If you don’t give your Christmas tree enough, the resin will pile up on the base and it won’t soak in all of that important water. It’s a vicious cycle. Incidentally, the temperature of the water doesn’t matter one little bit.
Measure it out
Measure the diameter of the tree trunk before you put it in the stand. For every inch, put one quart of water in the tree stand.
Stand size matters
If the tree stand is too small, get a bigger one. Cutting the outside of the trunk to make it fit will affect how well it absorbs the water.
Check it daily
The water level should never get below the cut end of the trunk, so make a point to check it frequently and refill as needed. This is especially important if you have pets around, as they like to drink from tree stands!
No drilling necessary
If you think it makes sense that drilling a hole in the trunk will let water in better, you’re wrong. Do not do this.
Avoid extras
There are people who swear by Christmas tree additives, but clean water is really all it needs to stay beautiful.
Lower the thermostat
A Christmas tree in a room that’s too warm will fall flat faster. Reduce the temperature and enjoy a longer-lasting tree.
Steer clear of heat sources
Don’t place the tree near heat sources like vents, direct sunlight, fireplaces and so on.
Decorate with small lights
Those big bulbs sure look jolly, but smaller twinkle lights produce less heat, thus the tree will stay fresher for longer. Turn off Christmas tree lights when you’re not home or are asleep. This will minimize the amount of exposure the tree has to unnecessary heat.
Once the holidays have passed and the tree starts to look noticeably dry, it’s time to say goodbye. Check your local laws to find out how you can responsibly and legally dispose of or recycle your Christmas tree.
Grab some eggnog and enjoy!
For every little bit of effort you put in to keep your Christmas tree alive, you’ll enjoy a whole lot of holiday cheer. If Charlie Brown taught us anything, it’s that even the tiniest Christmas tree brings exceptional joy. Happy Holidays!
