5 Important Things To Help Your Tree Make It to Christmas in Minnesota

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The holiday season got underway a few days earlier this year, so here are five important things you can do to make sure your live Christmas tree lasts throughout this most wonderful time of the year here in Minnesota.

Seeing as the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is nearly 5 days longer this year than in some other seasons, you might be putting your Christmas tree up any day now. Or maybe you already hauled out the holly and decorated your place for the holidays over the weekend.

At our place, my wife and I always get a real tree for Christmas each year. We love the real pine smell they add to the house each season. And if you're getting a real tree, too, here are five things the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association says you should do to make sure your tree doesn't turn into the Charlie Brown-type brown and shriveled tree by the time December 25th rolls around.

Five Important Tips To Help Keep Your Christmas Tree Green Throughout the Holiday Season in Minnesota

1) Make a fresh cut. - Before you bring the tree inside, re-cut the trunk at least one inch from the bottom just before putting it in the stand. Even if you just cut it on a choose-and-cut farm, this re-opens the tree stem so it can drink water.

2) Choose a spot in your house away from heat sources. Even your TV or computer can generate heat that real trees don't like!

3) Water immediately. You'll want to use warm water initially, too, and use a stand that can hold around a gallon of water.

4) Don't add anything to the water. There's an old wives tale out there that says it's better if you add sugar, but research has found trees prefer plain 'ol tap water better.

5) Check the water daily. If the water level drops below the fresh cut, the stem will reseal and be unable to drink. It's not unusual for a tree to drink 2 gallons of water the first day it is the stand.

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