Bringing home a fresh Christmas tree fills the house with fragrance and cheer—here are eight quick tips for how to keep it looking vibrant and safe all season long.
1. Make a Fresh Cut
- Before placing your tree in the stand, cut ½–1 inch off the bottom of the trunk.(Careful with the saw. )
- This fresh cut on your Christmas tree reopens the pores so the tree can drink water again.
- Place it in water within 30 minutes of making the cut for best absorption.
2. Choose the Right Stand
- Use a sturdy stand with a basin that holds at least 1 gallon of water.
- Avoid whittling the trunk to fit the stand—this reduces water uptake. Find a stand that you can adjust to accommodate the width of your tree trunk.
3. Water Daily
- A fresh-cut Christmas tree can drink up to a gallon of water the first day and plenty more after.
- Keep the stand full at all times. Never let the water line fall below the base of the trunk, or it will seal over and stop drinking.
4. Place Wisely
- Keep the tree away from heaters, fireplaces, direct heat vents, and sunny windows.
- Warm, dry air speeds up needle drop.
5. Additives Aren’t Necessary
- Plain, clean water is best. Commercial additives aren’t harmful, but they’re not essential.
- Avoid sugary mixes—they can encourage mold or bacteria.
6. Check Needles & Hydration
- Gently run your hand over the branches once in a while.
- If needles feel brittle or begin dropping excessively, the tree may be too warm or too dry.
7. Light Safely
- Use UL-listed lights and replace any damaged strands.
- Avoid taping up strands of lights even with electrical tape. Broken wires are a fire hazard.
- Turn lights off when you leave the house or go to bed.
- Consider switching to LED lights, which run cooler.
8. Post-Holiday Disposal
- Never burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove.
- Look for local mulch recycling programs or curbside pickup options.
That’s it! If you follow our tips, you can enjoy your tree all through the holiday season. Our Thousand Oaks location currently has fresh cut Christmas trees for a limited time. Come see our selections.
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
