garden/landscape

Caring For Your Live Tree

By Bethany Beebe

The average American family uses an artificial Christmas tree six to nine years and then sends it off to the landfill(1). Instead of this petroleum-based Yule experience, many enjoy a real tree. With some basic information, the tree used during classic Christmases past can thrive through Christmas present.

Purdue Extension writes that if freshly cut at the time of purchase, a tree can last from about Thanksgiving to just after Christmas(1) . Whether buying from a big-box retailer or heading to the tree farm, armed with some basic information, you can welcome Santa with style!

Keeping the tree healthy after cutting is largely dependent on water. Once inside, a tree stand will be needed. Many varieties exist, but for a medium-grade, reusable stand, one might pay $15-25. The reservoir in the stand ought to hold at least one quart of water for each inch in diameter of the tree’s trunk. That may sound like a great deal of water, but the first week it is with you, a cut Christmas tree that is seven feet tall could use two quarts each day! To address this need, be sure to check the supply daily, and don’t forget pets may be partaking of your parchedness prevention(1) .

If allowed to dry out, the process of preparing the base will need to be redone. To prepare the base, whether at initial set up or later in the process should it dry, cut ½ inch off the bottom of the trunk. When the ability to take up water is lost, so is the tree’s ability to stay green. Relatedly, if you purchase a tree and decide to wait for set up, keeping it in a bucket of water will prevent drying(1) .

Temperature is another factor that can extend or shorten the life of a tree. In the house, keeping the tree away from heat vents, operational stoves, or direct sunlight will aid in moisture retention. If you purchase the tree but plan to wait for setup, keeping it somewhere like a garage or shed will protect it, but keep it cool. The garage or shed will not only act as large refrigeration, but such structures will also block the moisture-stealing wind(1) .

When the season is done, you can let your tree, which took an average seven years to grow, live on. Take the tree to a local facility for recycling, where valuable mulch is often created(2). Some of that mulch might go to the planting of new trees. According to Old Farmers Almanac, one to three seedlings are planted for each tree harvested(2) . While it is not legal in all areas, some sink the spent trees in bodies of water so that aquatic life might seek shelter(1,2) .

For even more information on Christmas trees, including how to select your preferred variety, check out Purdue Extension’s publication FNR-422-W(3) .

(1) https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-423-W.pdf (2) https://www.almanac.com/how-do-christmas-trees-grow#h (3) https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-422-w.pdf

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