Research has shown, however, that
plain water is the best
bet
for caring for Christmas trees. Furthermore, the water doesn't have to be
distilled or bottled or fancy in any way. Tap water is just fine.
To further ensure the longevity
of Christmas trees, it is
helpful to make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk. This cut
should be straight and made about an inch from the end of the
trunk and the tree should be placed in water quickly. This cut
helps Christmas trees better absorb water from within the tree
stand.
If the tree is not to be put up right away, it is still a good idea to cut
the trunk of the tree and place it in a bucket of water. The tree should
then be stored in a shady, protected area that is unheated. When the time
comes to set the tree up, the end of the tree should be cut once again to
further aid in water
absorption.
The type of tree stand used with Christmas trees is also important in their
ability to last. For most Christmas trees, the water reservoir should hold
at least ½ gallon of water, but the more water the better. Keep in mind that
freshly cut Christmas trees will absorb up to one full gallon of water, or
even more, in the first 24 hours after a new cut is made. They will continue
to absorb one or more quarts each day, depending on the room temperature and
the amount of lights and other decorations on the tree.
Recognizing Christmas Trees that are drying out:
One of the surest signs that Christmas trees are beginning to dry out is
water absorption. For a tree that is drying out, water use substantially
slows down or stops altogether. The needles of Christmas trees that are not
watered regularly will dry and fall off as the tree dries. In addition, the
boughs will droop and the tree will lose its fragrance. Trees kept near
TV's, fireplaces, air ducts, and radiators have a tendency to
dry more quickly.
It is also important to keep Christmas trees watered because a dried sap
seal will form over the end of them within four to 6 hours after the water
drops below the base of the tree. This makes it impossible for the trees to
absorb water, even after the reservoir is refilled. This problem can be
remedied by
cutting the bottom of the tree once again, but this is difficult to do with
a tree that has already been decorated.
