
Ashleigh Smith

After Purchasing A Real Christmas Tree:
- Wrap your tree with a tarp to prevent damage while being transported. This will also protect your vehicle from getting sap on it.
- Immediately after getting home give the trunk a fresh cut about an inch from the bottom. This will give it better water intake.
- Place the tree in a protected, but unheated environment such as a garage or basement for the night to help it adjust to an indoor environment. This will reduce needle drop over time. Make sure it is in water during this time.
- Give the trunk another fresh cut, just as you did before.
- Place the tree in its final display location with plenty of water and decorate.
- When you are ready to take your tree down, use it for mulching, compost, or find a local green recycling center.
Water Recommendations:
Christmas trees need a lot of water! You will want to make sure your tree stand has the capacity to hold at least a gallon or more. When you first get it set up, the tree will take in more water as it adjusts from the shock of being moved. This is one of the reasons a fresh cut to the trunk is so important.
The resin will clog up the tree’s vesicles as it settles to the location of the last cut reducing the time you can get out of your tree. A fresh cut opens up the vesicles to take in water, which should be supplied as soon as possible.
Be sure to check the water level a couple of times a day for the first 2-3 days. After that you will need to check it daily. You might have heard of some recommendations to add things like sugar or lemon juice to your water. Don’t do this. Christmas trees just need plain tap water to get the most life out of them.
Be careful to keep your tree away from main heat sources like space heaters, fireplaces, and vents. The heat sources for your house will cause the tree to dry out quickly making your tree drop needles faster while becoming a greater fire hazard.
About the Author

I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
What a No-Till Michigan Market Farm Can Teach You About Growing Food
Written By Lara Wadsworth I drove 20 minutes out of the city, past the Grand Rapids airport, with airplanes flying overhead. My GPS instructs me to turn down a dirt road, and I slowly drive to the end of the lane. Passing homes and countless trees, I f...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-028 min read0July Planting Guide By Zone
Written By Lara Wadsworth Summer is in full swing. July is here, and most of us are celebrating holidays, going camping, and (of course), tending to our gardens! Even though a lot is done in the spring for gardens, July is also brimming with potential....
Ashleigh Smith
2025-07-0211 min read0Grass to Garden: Transforming Your Outdoor Space With Raised Beds
Written By Lara Wadsworth Looking to turn your lawn into a productive, easy-to-manage garden? One of the best ways to convert grass, turf, or weeds into a flourishing garden space is by using raised garden beds. Whether you’re dreaming of fresh vegetab...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-06-246 min read1How to Protect Your Garden from Heat Stress: Summer Plant Care Tips
Written By Lara Wadsworth Summer is here, and the heat is turning up. As the sun becomes more intense and daytime temperatures routinely soar, some plants struggle to cope. Sunburn, sunscald, leaf scorch, and heat stress are common problems that plants...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-06-178 min read0