Do you know how many real Xmas trees are predicted to be bought in
the U.S. this year? Believe it or not almost 29 million! I was surprised to
find that out and it made me wonder how many people really know how to take care of the tree to keep it safe from fire
and last through the holidays? If you’re one of the 29 million this year be
sure to read on!
Freshness
Counts!
Just the same as buying produce at your local market it’s
important that your natural Xmas tree be as fresh (recently cut down) as
possible. A recently harvested tree will last longer in your home and will
dramatically reduce the possibility of fire. The best way to tell is to make
sure that the needles bend easily without breaking and are still moist.
Handle with Care
If
you are transporting your tree yourself it’s a good idea to wrap it in a
plastic tarp on the way home to protect it from damage. The first thing you’ll
want to do when you get home is to cut off about 2 inches from the bottom of
the tree. This will allow it to absorb water much more easily and help it to
remain moist.
Trees are VERY
Thirsty!
Most
people have no idea just how much water a cut tree will absorb every day but
the estimate is about 1 quart of water daily for every 1 inch of diameter.
That’s a LOT of water. If your tree has a 4 inch diameter at the bottom (which
is a big tree) it will need approximately 1 gallon of water per day. A dry tree
is a definite fire hazard and will die quickly so it’s vital to keep it moist.
If you do happen to forget and it dries out you should drill 3 or 4 new holes
in the bottom and continue to keep it watered.
A Trick Worth
Knowing
You
can extend the life of your tree by adding a tablespoon of sugar or corn syrup
each time you add more water. My grand mom used to add an aspirin! I don’t know
if that really works or not but she swore by it! There are also Xmas tree
preservatives available if you prefer.
Safety First
Remember
to place your tree away from heat sources; this includes direct sunlight. If
you happen to have a room humidifier using it will extend the life of the tree
as well and only use lights that are specifically designed for trees. I’m sure
I don’t need to warn you NOT to place your tree near a fireplace but just in
case you get caught up in all the excitement, DON’T!
Finally,
when the holiday season is at an end it’s nice to know that most major cities
now offer a free recycling service for discarded Xmas trees. A simple phone
call should do it. Happy holidays to all!
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