How to Care for Your Real Christmas Tree
A fresh-cut tree can stay green, fragrant and safe all season. Here’s what to do, and what not to do, from the family that’s been selling Colorado’s freshest trees since 1965.
Tree Care Tips: What To Do
Water is everything. A fresh-cut tree drinks a lot, especially in the first few days, and Colorado’s dry air makes it even more important.
- 1
Get it into water fast
We give every tree a fresh cut at the lot, so there’s no cutting to do at home. Just get it into water as soon as you can once you’re home.
- 2
Use a stand that holds plenty of water
A good rule: about 1 quart of water for every inch of trunk width. A tree with a 4″ trunk needs a stand that holds about a gallon. Need one? We sell tree stands made for real trees.
- 3
Check the water every day
Top it off at least once a day, and twice a day for the first week. The water should always cover the bottom of the trunk.
- 4
Keep it cool
Set your tree away from fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, radiators, TVs and sunny windows. The cooler the spot, the slower it dries out.
- 5
Use LED lights
LED lights run cooler than old incandescent strands. Check every strand for broken bulbs or worn wires before you hang it, and turn the lights off when you go to bed or leave the house.
- 6
Plain water works best
Clean tap water is what your tree needs most. If you like, add a tree preservative such as our Christmas tree food to the water.
- 7
Test for freshness
Gently pull a branch through your hand. A few loose needles is normal; if lots of needles fall or the branches snap instead of bend, the tree is drying out and it’s time to take it down.
What NOT To Do With Your Tree
Avoid these common mistakes to keep your tree fresh and your home safe.
Don’t let the stand run dry
If the water drops below the base, sap can seal the cut and the tree stops drinking, even after you refill it. Check the water every day so it never runs dry.
Don’t shave the bark off the trunk
Trimming the sides of the trunk to fit a small stand removes the outer layers that carry water. Get a stand that fits the tree instead.
Don’t add bleach, sugar, soda or aspirin
Home remedies don’t help your tree, and some can keep it from drinking. Stick with clean water.
Don’t place it near heat
Keep the tree well away from fireplaces, space heaters, vents, candles and anything that gets hot.
Don’t use real candles on the tree
Never put lit candles on or near your Christmas tree.
Don’t overload outlets
Don’t plug too many light strands into one outlet or chain more strands together than the package allows.
Don’t leave the lights on all night
Turn tree lights off when you go to bed or leave home.
Don’t keep a dried-out tree up
A dry tree is a fire risk. If the needles are brittle and falling, take it down.
Don’t burn it in your fireplace
Evergreen branches burn fast and hot and can cause chimney fires. Recycle your tree instead.
After the holidays
Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and hooks, then recycle your tree. Denver’s Treecycle program and many other Colorado cities collect trees in January and turn them into mulch. A tree removal bag keeps needles off your floors on the way out.
Start With the Freshest Tree
Our trees are cut days before they arrive, not months, so they last longer at home. Order online for pickup or delivery.
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