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 “People
often buy live evergreen trees long before Dec. 25,” said Spencer
Campbell, the Arboretum’s Plant Clinic manager. “A tree that is not
cared for can dry out and become a fire hazard. A well cared for
tree, with a constant water supply, should remain green and fragrant
for several weeks, well through the holidays.”
The Arboretum’s Plant Clinic provides free advice by phone or email
for those with questions about how to care for trees and plants,
including Christmas trees. Whether tree shoppers intend to have
theirs up for six weeks or one week, Campbell offers these
recommendations for keeping trees fresh.
1. Plan for watering. A cut evergreen tree needs water like flowers
in a vase. Vessels where water flows are right under the tree’s
bark, so it’s important to keep the bark undamaged. Tree stands
should hold at least a gallon of water.
2. Choose a tree that will fit in the stand. Never
try to whittle down the trunk to fit a too-small stand. Doing so
will destroy the water vessels under the bark so the tree can’t take
up water, and it will quickly dry out. Bring the stand to the tree
lot to ensure the chosen tree fits.
3. Buy a fresh tree. A more recently cut tree will provide greater
time to enjoy it before it dries out and becomes a hazard. The
freshest tree is one cut at the time of purchase from a
choose-and-cut tree farm. Trees from small local lots are likely to
have been harvested within a few days or weeks, making them fairly
fresh. Wherever a tree is purchased, check it carefully for
freshness.
4. Test for green, firm, flexible needles. To judge whether a tree
is fresh, use a hand to gently brush a branch. If many needles fall
off or if the needles feel stiff or crackly, the tree is dry and
should not be bought. Needles on a fresh tree are plumped with
water. They should be firmly attached, pliable and fragrant. It’s
normal for an evergreen in autumn to lose some yellow or brown
needles, but dropping a significant number of green needles is an
indication the tree is drying out. Don’t buy a tree if the seller
won’t let the customer unwrap it to examine its freshness.
5. Select a suitable species. Some evergreen species dry out more
slowly and keep their needles longer than others. Needle types and
branching forms also differ. Some types of trees have soft, bendy
branches, while others have stiff branches that can support heavy
ornaments. Among the species sold most often in the Chicago area are
Fraser fir, balsam fir, concolor fir and Scots pine. Learn more
about different kinds of Christmas trees on The Morton Arboretum
website.
6. Make a new cut. When an evergreen’s trunk is cut, sap quickly
dries and seals the surface. To open the tree to water, cut off
about an inch from the bottom, or ask for that to be done at the
tree lot. Place the tree in water within about an hour after it’s
cut to prevent sap from sealing the trunk again. [to top of second
column] |
7. Store a tree in water. If a
tree will be kept outdoors before being set up inside, place it
in a bucket of water in a sheltered spot or in an unheated
garage. Top off the water in the bucket daily.
8. Keep the tree far from heat. Once it’s set up indoors,
position the tree well away from heat sources such as a
radiator, heating vent or fireplace. Even a very sunny window
can dry out a tree. Place the tree stand on a waterproof
surface, such as a plastic tarp, to protect carpeting or wood
floors.
9. Fill it up. As soon as the tree is in place, fill the stand
with warm tap water. Check the water at least twice daily and
refill as necessary. Never allow the water level to fall below
the bottom of the trunk. If the cut surface is exposed to air
and seals with sap, the tree will not be able to absorb any more
water.
10. Use plain water. Don’t add aspirin, sugar or any other
substance. Water is all the tree needs.
11. Decorate with lights that stay at a cool temperature. Older
incandescent tree lights run hot. Newer LED lights not only use
much less energy, but because they are more efficient and
cooler, they don’t dry out a tree nearly as much.
12. Keep checking for freshness. It’s normal for a tree to lose
a few needles every day. If it begins to lose many needles and
the branches become brittle, the tree has dried out. Remove it
from the house for safety’s sake.
About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and
research. Its 1,700 acre site cares for 222,000 tree and plant
specimens, representing 4,650 taxa from 40 countries. The
Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science collaborates with researchers
around the world, contributing scientific knowledge and technical
experience to secure the future of trees. The Arboretum’s Global
Tree Conservation Program leverages the expertise of the botanical
garden community to protect and restore vulnerable and threatened
trees. Its new Center for Species Survival: Trees, is the only
tree-focused center designated by the Species Survival Commission (SSC)
of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the
world’s largest conservation organization. Additional information
about the Arboretum’s scientific work and how it contributes to a
greener, healthier world for future generations can be found at
mortonarb.org.
[Ellyn Fortino - The Morton Arboretum]
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