Caring for your fresh cut Christmas tree is much like caring for a fresh bouquet of flowers. Both should have a fresh cut on the stem, should be placed in water as soon as possible, and should never be allowed to dry out. However, your Christmas tree will retain its freshness and beauty long past the time that those flowers would!
Transporting a fresh cut tree for any distance on top of your vehicle may cause it to dry out due to the wind. If this is necessary, it is best to wrap your tree in a protective covering. Santa's Christmas Tree Forest provides plastic wrapping and string free of charge that may be used for this purpose. If you would like to wrap your tree in a thicker ply material for transporting, we also offer a large Christmas tree removal bag, which is similar to an oversized garbage bag, that may be purchased from the gift shop for under two dollars.
Upon reaching your destination, make a fresh cut straight across the trunk 1/4" to 1/2" from the base before placing it in water. Place the tree in water as soon as possible. A tree may be stored in a cool shaded area for several days in a bucket of water. To display a tree indoors, the tree should be placed in a sturdy stand of appropriate size with adequate water holding capacity, generally one quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Check the base of the tree daily to assure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. Research analyzed by the National Christmas Tree Association indicates that plain tap water is all that is needed to keep your tree fresh. No additives, such as aspirin or sugar, are recommended for the tree's water, and in fact, they may actually be detrimental to a tree's moisture retention.The tree must never be allowed to dry out, as a seal will form over the base of the tree. If this should happen, it would be necessary to make a new fresh cut across the trunk to allow the tree to take up moisture.
Your Florida Christmas tree originated in a natural agricultural environment. Although extremely rare, an occasional bug may be found in your tree. At Santa's Forest, every effort is taken to prevent insects from making it to your home. Trees are treated in the field, and fresh cut trees are placed on a shaker to remove dead needles and any insects. However, to help assure that no insects are taking up residence, you may choose to hose down your tree with water, or spray it with an household insect spray labeled for indoor use with ornamental plants and evergreens before bringing the tree into your home. One insect that thrives on pine trees is the aphid. Sometimes confused with a spider or tic, this tiny insect is completely harmless to people. If found after setup, this insect may simply be vacuumed from the flooring.
When ready to display your tree, choose a place in your home away from heat sources (fireplaces, heaters, heating vents, etc.) A fresh cut tree is no more flammable than a wet leaf, and in fact less than 0.0004% trees are ignited in house fires yearly. However, common sense prevention dictates a few rules. Inspect lights, cords, and connections prior to placing them on the tree to be sure that they are in good working order and are not frayed. Only cool burning lights should be used, and lighting instructions should be followed carefully to avoid overloading circuits. Always unplug lights when unattended. Monitor the tree for freshness, and remove the tree from your house if it is particularly dry or after Christmas. Never burn your tree in a wood stove or fireplace.
Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means that they may be reused and recycled. After Christmas, tree branches may be removed, chipped, and used as mulch. Many communities offer recycling and mulching programs. Check newspapers and the world wide web, or call your local county or city government to find recycling programs in your area.
Perhaps you have chosen to purchase a live Christmas tree that may be planted in your yard after the season and enjoyed for years to come. Note that live trees are bulky and heavy, and may be more difficult to transport to your home. Caring for a live Christmas tree is very much similar to caring for a fresh cut tree. Adequate water should be used to keep the soil damp but not flooded, while in the container. They may be decorated in the same way as a fresh cut tree when displayed in the home. Then plant the tree as soon as possible after Christmas. To plant your live tree, tap the container to remove the tree, leaving the soil on the root system, and then backfill the soil removed from the hole around the root ball. Water daily initially, and stake the tree as needed to prevent wind tipping or damage.
Santa's Christmas Tree Forest is a proud member of the National Christmas Tree Association and the Florida Christmas Tree Association. Much of the information on this page was provided by these organizations. lick on the red title links above to connect to these web sites. Please contact us for any additional questions.
