![]() ![]() According to Andersen, it takes less than three hours for sap to seal the pores. That’s important, because once a tree is cut, sap leaks out, dries, and seals the wood’s pores, greatly hindering its ability to absorb water. If you bought a pre-cut tree, when you get it home, use a handsaw or chainsaw to make a fresh cut to remove about an inch or so of wood from the bottom of the trunk. Tchukki Andersen, a staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association, suggests wrapping it in a plastic tarp to protect it on the journey home. Once you’ve selected your live tree, you’ll need to take care of it immediately to keep it alive. If a shower of needles drops off, keep looking. ![]() Here’s another good indicator of freshness: Lift the tree several inches off the ground and firmly bang it on the ground. Avoid any tree with dry and brittle needles. Be sure to inspect the tree by feeling its needles, which should be pliable and firmly attached. If the trees were cut more than three to four weeks ago, shop elsewhere. Many Christmas trees are harvested weeks in advance and shipped long distances to local markets. If you’re buying a pre-cut tree from a retail store, church group, or scout troop, ask how long ago the trees were harvested and where they came from. And if you have a choice of Christmas tree farms, choose an organic farm, which doesn’t use harmful pesticides or chemicals. “A cut-your-own tree guarantees freshness, and by going to a local farm, you know it’s going to be sustainable, so trees will be replanted, and it’ll be a selective harvest,” says Mark Derowitsch, a spokesman for the Arbor Day Foundation.īuying local also means, you’ll preserve local jobs and open space, and cut down on shipping costs-not to mention the carbon emissions of long-distance truck transport. ![]() The very best way to ensure your tree is fresh is to cut your own from a local tree farm. This is the most important step for keeping a Christmas tree alive. (A tannenbaum, by the way, is a fir tree.) There are a few simple steps to help keep your Christmas tree alive for longer, and ensure your tannenbaum doesn’t become a tannen-bummer. A fresh tree not only smells nicer than a dry, brittle tree, but it’ll also drop fewer needles, remain greener longer, and pose much less of a fire hazard. If you’re one of the nearly 30 million households who will be getting a live Christmas tree this year, it’s important to keep the tree fresh throughout the entire holiday season. ![]()
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