How to Extend the Life of Your Real Christmas Tree

Tis the season for decorating and while some prefer to use an artificial tree, many prefer the bountiful beauty of a real Christmas tree. The truth is, with a fresh cut tree, you will reap many benefits such as a fresh scent and fresher air in your home.  There are some downsides when it comes to choosing a real tree though, because if not properly cared for, your real tree may not make it through the season.

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Are you Camp Real or Camp Artificial Tree?

Growing up, we always, always had a real Christmas tree. Back then, bubble lights were all the rage as well as gobs of tinsel. My dad would set up the Lionel Train set and I would sit for hours under the lights watching the train make its way through the snow-covered trees and village while eating my Nana’s Sandtarts cookies.

A few years ago, my husband was traveling quite a bit and there wasn’t a lot of time to get a real tree, so I broke down and bought a pre-lit artificial tree.  I will admit, it is super easy to just fit the pieces together and plug it in, but I really do miss having a real tree with the fresh smell of pine and decorating each bough with our family ornaments. 

If we did go back to a real tree, I have a few tips to help extend the life of your real Christmas tree so you and your family can enjoy all its glory through the holiday season. 

How to Extend the Life of Your Real Christmas Tree

There are several different varieties of trees you can choose from when picking a real Christmas tree, but all will benefit from these 4 important care tips.

Wrap the Tree

When transporting your real Christmas tree home, you will want to make sure that it is properly covered, especially if you are traveling with the tree on top of your vehicle. The brisk wind on the way home can dry out your tree immediately. Always make sure to protect your fresh cut tree from wind damage by properly wrapping it and place it trunk forward if on the roof of the car. 

Other items to bring along:

Blanket or tarp to protect your car from needles and sap.

Rope to help secure your tree.

Gloves to protect your hands.

Recut the Stem

If you have purchased your tree off a lot rather than cutting it down yourself, chances are your tree has been sitting there for several days, maybe even weeks. When a cut tree sits in a lot, the vascular system that helps to draw water into it may have clogged. Before bringing home, have someone cut ¼ of an inch off the bottom of the tree trunk to ensure a fresh open path for water to nourish every branch of your tree. If necessary for height reasons, you may remove more of the trunk but just make sure to do one straight cut. Cutting angles or drilling holes will further damage the tree.

Water the Tree

It is crucial to make sure you are watering your tree properly over the holidays. Water is an essential component to keeping your tree alive once the trunk has been cut. Make sure that you fill the stand as soon as you have recut the trunk of the tree, and always refill as soon as possible. Plain water is the best choice when it comes to keeping your Christmas tree alive longer. Checking the tree stand at least twice a day for water levels is important as the stand must always remain full. Keep in mind that a Christmas tree stand doesn’t hold a lot of water either, so frequent checks are a must.

Pay Attention to Location

A real Christmas tree requires an appropriate location within your home. Never put your real tree close to cold drafts or heating vents as both things can speed up your tree’s process of drying out. Strong sunlight also has a huge effect on your tree, so make sure you avoid placing it in direct sunlight as it can cause your tree to fade faster.

A real Christmas tree is a wonderful choice for your holiday decorating this year. Just make sure to take proper care of the tree so you can enjoy it for as long as you can.

Speaking of decorating- check out these fantastic holiday treats Candy Cane Christmas Trees from Happy Family Blog and Christmas Tree Cupcakes from April Go Lightly! So fun!