Most people have already purchased their Christmas tree and have trimmed it with care. If you haven’t yet, make sure to spray the tree down outside with the hose. It not only gets rid of dry needles but it hyrdrates the tree and preps it for dryness of being inside for a couple weeks. If you live in a warmer state and have a swimming pool, go ahead and dunk it in the pool for at least 2-4 hours. I’m serious! Having your Christmas tree well hydrated is the key to having it last throughout the entire. If you have had your tree for a little while, make sure you check the water level every day and if it is starting to dry out, mist it with a water bottle.
What most people don’t know is that the bottom boughs are trimmed off the tree before you take it off the Christmas tree lot. Ask if you can have those – from your tree and others. These evergreen boughs are great to use as decorations throughout the house. Try to get an assortment of Cedar, Douglas Fir, and Noble Fir as the aroma from the boughs is Heavenly. Ever want your evergreens to smell for a longer period or want it a little stronger? There are nodes along the branches and trunk and if you slice them with a knife or your fingernail, you will release a little bit of the sap… wait for the wonderful smell of evergreen trees to waft through your home.
Just like with the Christmas tree, to take care of your evergreen boughs, make sure to soak them in the sink or tub for 2 hours to hydrate them. They should last up to two weeks if you do this. One thing I also like to do is lay the boughs down on the dining room table and place my poinsettia on top of it – so pretty and festive!
If you have an artificial Christmas tree, add a few boughs in between the branches so you can enjoy the lovely evergreen scent too.
After the Holidays are over you can put the wreaths and tree into a chipper and make mulch for your garden – best way to recycle your tree.
More Holiday Plant Care Tips:
How to Extend the Life of Your Poinsettias
8 Ways to Make Your Christmas Tree Last Longer
Kristi Trimmer is currently running half marathons across the U.S. and blogging about her journey. At the beginning of 2012 she couldn’t run across the parking lot and in 2013 she ran 10 half marathons. Follow her journey on DragonflyRunning.com as she shares her running adventures and helps to motivate others to make positive life changes that include eating healthy and having fitness be a part of the lives and not a dirty little word.
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