Which xmas trees last longer

Most often, Christmas trees available at tree farms or local home and garden centers belong to fir, cypress, pine, and spruce. Fir and cypress tend to keep most of their needles for four or five weeks, respectively, whereas pine and spruce are more likely to lose a high volume of needles within two or three weeks, respectively. Before buying the tree you have your eye on, take it by the trunk and give it a shake to observe the volume and color of the needles that fall off. Only a few brown needles should come off if the tree is fresh; numerous fallen green needles are a telltale sign that the tree has already gone dry.

Many unsuspecting folks transport unbundled Christmas trees inside a truck cargo bed only to arrive home and find numerous branches bent and needles fallen on the way. If driving home in a car as opposed to a truck, securely tie the baled tree to the roof racks with rope. Remove the netting once you have placed the tree inside your tree stand.

If your tree was cut more than six to eight hours ago ask the attendant at the point of purchased exactly when it was cut , a layer of resin will have formed over the cells of the wood at the base of the trunk, sealing it and preventing water uptake. To re-open the cells so that the tree can absorb water, use a saw to cut a half inch of wood off of the base of the tree trunk before you place it in your tree stand.

Over the years, homeowners have laced the water in their tree stands with everything from floral preservatives to powdered bleach and crushed aspirin to keep their trees fresh.

But there is no evidence that such additives prolong tree life; in fact, they can actually inhibit water retention and cause the tree to dry out faster. This way, you can control the amount of the time between cutting the tree and getting it into water.

Once cut, the tree trunk will need to be submerged in water right away. Before you leave for the tree farm, prepare a large, sturdy bucket of water in a protected, unheated area, like a garage, so you can get your tree into water as soon as you get home.

Trimming the trunk of your tree will remove the clogged tissue at the base of its vascular system. Cut the tree right before you display it to help maximize water absorption. Depending on the tree you choose, you may need to trim its trunk more than once. You can also keep a Christmas tree green and supple by lowering the thermostat in your home the cooler air helps it stay fresher longer or moving it away from a large window that gets direct sun all day.

Since heat causes needles to dry out more quickly, try to avoid placing your tree too close to a fireplace, wood stove, or heating vent. The No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook is my latest book.

Garden Betty is where I write about modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. After all, the secret to a good life is Read more ». Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Written by Linda Ly. How to make a Christmas tree last longer 1. Start with a healthy, vibrant tree. Give the tree a clean, straight cut across the bottom.

Get the tree in water as soon as you come home. Keep it cool. Opt for LED lights. Check the water level every day.

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