Caring for Your FRESH Tree
YOUR TREE HAS RECEIVED A FRESH CUT, unless you requested otherwise. (If you are making your own fresh cut: Use a saw to cut through the base of the trunk, an inch or so from the bottom.) The fresh cut stays “fresh” for up to 6 hours.
As soon as you get home, EVEN IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, submerge the trunk into a bucket of fresh water, OUTSIDE, in the shade. FOR BEST RESULTS: Leave your tree outside for 1-2 days before bringing it inside. This time spent hydrating in a cool/moist environment will PROLONG your tree’s quality! VERY IMPORTANT: Keep the solution level well above the base of the cut at all times. If the cut base dries out, the sap will harden and the tree will not take up any more water!
Inspect your tree before bringing it into your house and remove any bits of unwanted nature: leaves, twigs, nests, etc.
To make the preserving mixture, follow directions on the bottle, which are as follows: add 2 tablespoons of mix for every gallon of water. When you run out of the bottle that we provided you with, we do sell additional bottles. Plain, fresh water works too!
A freshly cut tree may soak up a gallon or more of water per day. Avoid the tiny stands that hold only a cup or two of water. Refill the stand with solution or water frequently so that it is always full enough to cover the base of the trunk.
Use a stand that fits your tree! Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
Avoid standing the tree in front of large glass surfaces, heating vents, or fireplaces that expose it to the sun and heat, leading to rapid moisture loss. Expect a fresh tree to use one-half to two gallons of water the first day it’s brought inside. A fresh tree will continue to use water, but at a reduced rate throughout the holiday season.
Follow this procedure and your tree will stay fresh, green and fragrant throughout the holiday season.
–The Wolffs