By: Nebraska Extension
It doesnt seem like I should be writing about Christmas topics already. But I know some people put up their Christmas tree as the Thanksgiving leftovers are cooling. So I thought this would be a good time to talk about selecting a Christmas tree if you use a natural tree at your home.
It is important to select one that is fresh and take steps to prevent it from drying out before the holiday season has passed. This reduces the potential for fires, aids in cleanup… and makes it more pleasant for whoever has to crawl under the tree to distribute the gifts found there. (OK, the last one is a family tradition and since I have the profile that most closely resembles Santa Claus… never mind!)
Follow these steps to assure the tree you are buying is fresh:
* Gently pull on the needles. They should be tightly attached to the twig.
* Shake the tree vigorously or bounce the butt end on the ground. If green needles fall, look for a different tree. Dead, brown needles falling from inner parts of the tree may have been shed years ago and are less of a problem.
Once you have chosen a fresh Christmas tree, do your best to keep it fresh. A tree can stay fresh and healthy for several weeks if it is well cared for.
* When you get home, cut about an inch off of the butt end (preferably at a slight angle) to aid in water absorption. Get the cut end in a container of plain water quickly.
* If the tree will not be put up right away, store in a cool shady place outside with the butt submerged in water.
* Mist the needles daily until the tree is decorated.
* When the tree is brought in the house, saw the butt end again with a square cut. This will help the tree stand up and will also aid in water absorption.
* Use a sturdy stand with a large water reservoir so it won’t dry out. A fresh tree can use one quart of water or more a day, so water daily. A tree is beginning to dry out if its water use slows or stops.
* Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, TVs, radiators, and air ducts. Never use lighted candles or have open flames near your Christmas tree.
* Adding things to the water, like commercial additives, aspirin, or sugar, will not help the tree stay fresh longer. Just make sure your tree has a constant source of fresh water.
* To make watering your tree easier, consider buying a funnel and a 3- to 4-foot piece of tubing. Slip the tube over the funnel outlet, extend the tubing down into the tree stand and water without bending over or disturbing the tree skirt. Hide this system in an out-of-the-way part of the tree.
Following these guidelines on selecting and caring for your Christmas tree helps ensure a safe and happy holiday. And after the holidays, your tree can still serve another useful purpose…
Before taking your Christmas tree to the recycling center or burn pile this year, consider creating a backyard habitat for birds. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, you can do the same things with an existing tree or large shrub. These tips are especially effective in evergreens (cedar, pine, spruce, fir, etc.), but can also be used in broadleaf trees as well. Broadleaf trees and shrubs make bird watching easier, but they dont provide the same level of shelter as an evergreen tree.
Decorate your tree with strings of popcorn, cranberries or raisins. Apples, oranges, leftover breads and pine cones covered with peanut butter then dipped in birdseed can also be added. For best results, push the edible ornaments well into the tree.
Press suet into the branches or hang it in mesh bags such as those that contain onions and fruit in the supermarket. It is best to keep suet balls in the shade so they dont melt. Also, keep them high enough in the tree that dogs can’t reach them. Pre-made suet mixtures, which include suet, bird seed and a variety of dried fruits, are available at most nurseries, garden centers, pet stores, and hardware stores.
If you decide to start feeding the birds, be consistent with your feeding. Feeding birds in the winter results in their reliance on you for part of their diet. Lack of this food during a severe cold period or storm could result in the birds starving to death before they can find another food source.
For more information on selecting a Christmas tree or using it for a bird feeding station after the holidays, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.
