If you’re like many folks in the Woodstock area, this weekend will find you putting up a Christmas tree in your home. Are you pulling one from out of the attic, with beautiful lights already attached? Then this post isn’t for you! (Just kidding, you can read along!) As a lover of the ease of a fake Christmas tree for many years, the idea of trying to keep a real tree alive is kind of scary. What if I don’t water it enough? What if I water it too much? How much sunlight should it receive? All questions I asked myself when my husband suggested getting a real tree last year. Never fear, fellow real tree owner! These are some of the best tips I’ve found to making sure your tree lasts through New Year’s Eve. 
- When choosing a tree from a lot, gauge how well the trees are cared for. Trees displayed in water, protected from direct sun and harsh wind are usually good bets. If a tree is fresh, gently running your hand through the branches will cause few needles to drop. Needles should not pull off easily!
- After you get the tree home, use a saw to cut one to two inches off the bottom of the trunk (or if possible, get the person at the lot to do this before you leave).
- Make sure to use a tree stand that is big enough to be stable and large enough to hold the water the tree will need daily.
- Keep in mind that a tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the 24 hours it is cut, and one or more quarts every day after. By maintaining a steady water level, you can help prevent the needles from drying out and dropping off and keeping the boughs from drooping.
- Keep your tree away from direct sunlight, fireplaces, space heaters and heating vents. Aside from drying the tree out quicker, it’s just asking for trouble.
- While some people swear by commercial Christmas tree preservatives, tree experts say that it doesn’t really do much, and that plain tap water is the best choice.
Which type of tree do you prefer, real or fake? Whatever you choose, happy decorating from the Townelaker!
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