Christmas Tree Tips
Whether the tree lot worker cut the end off the tree or not, it needs to be cut just before placing the tree into a stand. Water should be added immediately, or sap will seal the cut and not allow water up into the tree.
To keep the Christmas tree watered without water splashing on the floor, fill the tree stand with a few ice cubes.
The water level should be checked daily. If the tree stand goes dry, sap will seal the cut and not allow water up into the tree. The tree will eventually stop taking water, so dumping in a quart or more without checking first could result in water getting all over the floor.
An uneven tree can be made beautiful by trimming with rose pruning shears.
Remove the tree from your home if the needles get so dry that they fall off easily or if they get brittle. Until you get the dry tree out, unplug the lights.
To prevent needles from falling all over the floor when moving tree outside, place an old sheet or plastic dropcloth on the floor. Tip tree onto cloth, wrap up cloth around tree and drag tree outside. (Make sure there is no water left in the stand.)
