A fresh cut Christmas tree is arguably the most important ‘houseplant’ we’ll take care of during the whole year. It’s time to refresh our knowledge of tree care, learn more about pines and firs, and discover which tree is best for you!
Fresh Cut Christmas Tree Care Tips
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Trim the Base
After the tree is cut on the farm, sap seals the wound within the first 4-6 hours. Before you bring the tree inside, make sure to do a fresh cut about an inch or so from the base of the trunk. This fresh opening gives the tree a better ability to absorb water. The tree lot staff will often offer to do a fresh cut for you, which is great, but only have them do this if you plan to bring the tree indoors right away (or you can place the tree in a bucket of water to prevent the cut from sealing).
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Keep It Cool
The main thing is to keep your fresh cut Christmas tree away from heat sources like a fireplace or furnace vent. This will keep the tree fresher and prevent excessive needle loss. Plus, a cool and well-watered tree is less of a fire hazard.
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Keep the Water Topped Up
Fill the tree stand with water as soon as you stand it up. It’s important to keep the water topped up and prevent the level from dipping below the base of the trunk. You’d be surprised at how thirsty a fresh cut Christmas tree can be and how fast they’ll suck a basin dry. If left without water for too long, you risk the tree sealing with sap and rendering it unable to drink more water.
Note: some people add sugar or bleach to the water, but the evidence is sketchy as to whether they actually help the tree stay fresh. Recent studies say that plain tap water is all you need. Or you can also opt for a commercial brand of Christmas tree food, such as Prolong.
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Let It Unfurl Before Decorating
Once the Christmas tree is cut and mounted in the stand, let it sit overnight before you decorate it. In that time, the branches will widen and relax. By morning, it will fill out to its natural shape.
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Optional: Anti-Desiccant Sprays
To cut down on shedding needles, some people spray their tree with an anti-desiccant. These act as invisible sealers to hold in moisture. If you go this route, remember to spray the tree outside and let it dry before you bring it in the house.
Types of Fresh Christmas Trees
When shopping for a fresh cut Christmas tree, you’ll usually come across three main types: pine, fir, and spruce.
Firs: Douglas firs are considered an iconic Christmas tree. It’s easy to see why when you see its classic pyramid shape and branches full of needles. Other commonly used fir varieties are Balsam fir, Fraser fir, and Noble fir. In our local area, Fraser fir is the most popular choice with Balsam fir often being the second most popular.
Pines: Pines have a warm, rich scent that’s distinct from both firs and spruce. They evolved about 200 million years ago. Scots pine (also called Scotch pine) and white pine are the two most popular types of fresh cut Christmas trees. You will find the Scots pine a much sturdier tree (versus the white pine) if you plan to hang heavy ornaments.
Spruce: White spruce are sometimes favored for their strong limbs that can hold heavy ornaments. The needles are small and dense, giving these trees a healthy, full-bodied look.
What Type of Real Christmas Tree is the Best?
Pines, firs, and spruce are good at keeping their needles. They all have conical shapes and thick foliage that’s ideal for decorating, and each one brings beautiful fragrance into your home. Neither one is necessarily better. The choice is up to you, and it really comes down to your preference for the subtle shape, look, and feel of each tree. In general, Balsam fir has the best fragrance, Fraser fir has a lighter fragrance but holds its needles very well, and Douglas fir has a unique citrusy scent that many love.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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Artificial vs Fresh-cut Christmas Trees
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