It can be very discouraging to bring a fresh, green Christmas tree into your home a few weeks before the holiday only to have it wither and drop its leaves before Christmas morning. If you’re hesitant to buy a fresh tree because of this, there are things you can do to preserve your tree to maximum freshness, including maintaining the right indoor temperature.
Tips for Preserving Your Holiday Tree
1. Choose carefully. You can help ensure your Christmas tree endures in tiptop shape until Christmas morning by careful shopping. First, find a tree stored in a cool, shaded area and not stacked so tightly the leaves can’t breathe. Make sure the tree’s leaves (needles) are green and springy to the touch. If the tree is already losing lots of needles and turning yellow, it’s already on its way to drying out.
2. Hydrate abundantly. The key to maintaining a tree is to water it adequately — up to a liter a day. Buy a substantial tree stand that will hold the tree in place and will hold up to a gallon of water. Don’t bother with plant preservatives; cold water is all you need. Do, however, cut off about an inch on the bottom of the tree at a slanted angle. This removes the hardened sap that went to the original cut and that will prevent the uptake of water.
3. Avoid drying out. Keep your tree away from direct sources of heat or sunlight: windows, heating vents, space heaters, fireplace, woodstove, and others. Also, keep the HVAC thermostat set at as cool a temperature as you can bear. If you have a zoned system where you can make the room with the tree cooler, so much the better.
If you see signs of yellowing or dropped needles and you’re certain the tree is drying out, it would be better to get rid of it than risk creating a fire hazard from electric lighting.
To learn more about the ideal indoor temperature for a holiday tree or other plants, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning of Lorain.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area