EAST BAY - Foresters recommend making sure your Christmas tree is fresh when you buy it and doesn't become too dry after you get it home. Trees that were cut many weeks ago and exposed to the sun and wind during transit may have dried out significantly before reaching the retail location or Christmas tree lot where they are being sold.
"Be sure to ask the Christmas tree vendor when the trees they're selling were cut so that you have a better idea of how fresh the tree really is," said Mike Mason, acting chief of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Forest Resources.
"While many retail outlets take care of the trees they sell to make sure they're as fresh as possible, some simple research can help you avoid buying a tree that is just too dry to keep in your home through the holidays."
Hold the tree by the trunk and tap it on the ground, or run your hand along one of the branches. If needles come right off, it's not fresh enough.
Many people like to cut their own tree. "A lot of families enjoy a holiday outing to a Christmas tree farm to choose their tree and watch as it is cut. Those, of course, are the freshest trees," Mr. Mason said. "Whether you buy your natural Christmas tree from a tree farm or a corner lot, make sure you take care of it when you get it home."
Some tips for caring for a natural Christmas tree include:
n Make a half-inch to one-inch cut from the base of the tree trunk to allow the tree to more easily absorb water and resist drying.
n Place the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least a gallon of water. Replenish the water frequently. Healthy Christmas trees may absorb water at a rate of a quart or more each day.
n If you are decorating the tree with electric lights, make sure cords are not frayed and the lights are in proper working order before you put them on the tree. Use only UL-approved lights and unplug the lights when no one is at home and before you retire for the night.
n Keep the tree away from furnace vents, space heaters and any appliances that generate heat. Trees near vents or heat-producing appliances will dry out more quickly and may become a fire hazard.
n After the holiday season, remove the lights and decorations and move the tree outdoors. Many communities provide a pick-up service for Christmas tree recycling. You can also leave your natural Christmas tree in your yard for use as a habitat for winter birds.
