If your family is headed out this weekend to pick out a Christmas tree, you might want to consider a few of these tips. One thing people often forget to do is measure the space where they want to put the tree, and it ends up being too big says University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Richard Hentschel. He suggests bringing a tape measure when you head out to the tree lot or farm to make sure it will fit. As far as the type of tree, that’s a personal choice.
“Most trees are going to last about the same length of time. The exception might be, if you are able to get a local cut your own, that is as fresh as you can get. Keep them well watered and make a new fresh cut just before you put them in the stand, because they will take up a quart to two quarts of water a day when you first bring them in the house. The needles should still bend. The twigs should still bend. A lot of folks will give the tree a really good shake. You are going to always have some needle loss. That is a natural thing with evergreens. There is going to be some naturally declining needles that are in the tree, that is absolutely normal. You don’t want an excessive amount of needles coming off the tree before you ever take it home.”
Hentschel says you need to keep that water filled at all times. No special additives like sugar or aspirin are needed.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***
