ASK A SPECIALIST DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON SELECTING AND CARING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE? Answer by Michael Kuhns, Utah State University Extension Forestry Specialist In late November and early December, many Utahns head for their local Christmas tree grower or tree lot. Selecting a good tree and proper care for it once it is home can help you have a safer, more enjoyable holiday season. • Freshness and moistness are important factors to consider when selecting a tree to last through the holidays. Once needles become dry, they usually stay dry – even when the tree is placed in a stand with water. The best way to ensure that your tree is fresh is to buy from a local grower or from a retailer you know and trust. • Trees shipped into Christmas tree lots from out of state may be fresh, but some are old and dry. To check for freshness, gently pull on several needles. If many come off, the tree may not be fresh. You can also lift the tree and strike the butt end on the ground. Again, if many needles fall from the twigs, the tree is probably not fresh. You can also pull off a few needles and break them to see if they are moist and fragrant. • Don't worry about old unattached needles accumulated inside the crown. Though these needles can be messy, they do not indicate a poor tree and can easily be removed. • Once a fresh tree is brought home, re-cut a thin section from the butt end and place the tree in a pail of water until you are ready to decorate it. Keep the tree outside, away from sun and wind so it does not become dry. When you are ready to bring the tree in, cut the butt end again if it has been stored more than three or four days. This cut section can be hung with a ribbon and made into an ornament by marking the rings with significant years in your family's history. Most sections will have seven to 10 growth rings. • Once inside, the tree should be placed in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. A fresh tree can lose this much or more water a day, so avoid old-fashioned, small stands that do not hold enough water. Place the tree away from heaters, furnace vents, televisions and other heat sources. • Lights on the tree should be UL approved and protected by an inline fuse. Small pinpoint lights work well because they stay cool. Don't be sentimental about old Christmas tree lights – old lights with cracked insulation or loose sockets should be discarded. Turn lights off when the tree is unattended. Flammable decorations should not be used on a Christmas tree with electric lights. Candles should never be used to light a Christmas tree or wreath. • A fresh tree that is watered daily can stay moist and safe for several weeks. If a tree is displayed in a public building, it should be kept no longer than 15 days and should be treated with a fire retardant solution.
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