Even though its roots are cut away, a fresh Christmas tree is still alive when you buy it. Here are some tips for keeping it fresh.
- A Christmas tree is like a giant cut flower, and should be taken care of in much the same way. When you get the tree home, recut the base of the trunk and immediately put it into a large bucket of warm water. Leave it in the bucket outside for a few days.
- Make sure the tree is in a shady location, and replenish the water as necessary.
- Once inside, place the tree immediately into a stand with a generous water reservoir. Check the tree stand every day without fail, and add more water as necessary. Tree preservatives may be used, but are not nearly as important as simply keeping the reservoir full.
- Heat causes trees to dry out faster. Turn on the Christmas lights, which generate heat, only when necessary, and locate your tree away from fireplaces, hot air vents or space heaters.
- There are a variety of potted holiday trees that can be planted in the yard after Christmas. Evergreen conifers that grow well in Louisiana, include spruce pine, Eastern red cedar, junipers ('Sky Rocket' has a narrow upright form that would be good where you need a skinny tree; 'Blue Point' is another good choice), Arizona cypress and deodar cedar.