How to keep the needles on your tree.
December's here — do you have your Christmas tree yet? Steve Bezanson, of Bezanson Family Christmas Tree Farm in Black Rock, NS (you can read more about Steve's operation in "A Christmas Garden" in the November/December 2011 issue of Saltscapes), helped us out with some practical tips to help keep the needles on your tree — and not all over your living room floor.
- When transporting your tree, protect it from wind and road salt by covering it with plastic.
- If storing the tree for a few days, place it in a bucket of water in a cool environment, such as a garage or shed, where it will be protected from the sun and wind.
- If you can, move the tree to a partially heated area the evening before you bring it indoors; this will allow it to gradually adjust to the temperature change.
- Before placing the tree in its stand (and, preferably, outdoors) gently tap the stump on the ground several times to dislodge any loose needles.
- Make a fresh cut, removing at least ½-1 inch (1.25-2.5 cm) from the bottom of the stem; if the stem is not cut, the tree will not take up water.
- Your stand should hold at least 1 gallon (4 litres) of water. Use plain, room temperature water—do not add sugar or aspirin or any other substance to it; this will choke off flow of water to the tree. Check water level daily.
- Place your tree away from any heat source.
- Use only approved lights, and check them each year for faults.