Christmas Tree Care and Safety

Choose a fresh tree
Make a fresh cut
Place the tree in water immediately
Keep plenty of water in the tree stand
Position the tree away from heat
Check light cords and connections
Christmas Tree Safety
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Choose a Fresh Tree

Pick out a tree that you can cut yourself, or select one that is fresh. A fresh tree will have needles that generally do not come off in your hand when you gently pull on a branch. Brown interior needles will fall from the tree; this is normal.

Make a Fresh Cut

Make a fresh cut across the base of the trunk - about ¼ inch is enough. When a tree is first cut, a seal of sap forms over the stump, to keep moisture inside. This seal also keeps moisture out of the tree, so it’s important to break that seal to allow the tree to “drink” in the water that will keep it fresh throughout the holidays.

Place the Christmas Tree in Water Immediately

Put your tree in a water-holding stand immediately. If you are not ready to decorate it, or even bring it inside, put it in a bucket of water right away – in the garage, if possible. Use lukewarm water for the first filling. Water temperature is not important afterwards. What else should go in with the water? Nothing! None of the products tested in university and industry studies provide any real benefit to the tree.

Keep Plenty of Water in the Tree Stand

A Christmas tree may absorb a gallon of water in the first 24 hours that the tree is up, and several quarts of water each day after that. Do not let it run out of water (below the cut end of the trunk, not to the bottom of the stand) or a new seal will form.

Position the Tree Away From Heat

Position your tree away from heat sources (fireplaces, television sets, computers, wood stoves, space heaters). These areas speed up the drying process.

Check Light Cords and Connections

Be sure that all light cords and connections are in good working condition and not frayed. Use an appropriate number of lights/appliances for each outlet. And don’t forget to unplug the lights when you go to bed or leave home!!

Christmas Tree Safety

Real Christmas tree producers such as Trim Pines are very concerned with the subject of Holiday Safety. Why? Because there is a myth that many people believe, that says that Real Christmas Trees are a safety hazard. We want citizens to have the correct information. We want you to know that Real Christmas Trees are an environmental asset, not a fire safety problem – a Real Christmas Tree has NEVER started or caused a fire.

A few facts about Christmas Tree safety:

In 1998 more than 32 million Real Christmas Trees were used in the U.S. Of these, only 0.00093% were ignited in home fires.
Christmas Trees are not as likely to be the first item ignited in residential fires as many other common household items:

newspapers and magazines -- 13 times more likely
boxes or bags -- 10 times more likely
curtains or drapes -- 9 times more likely
Overloaded electric outlets and faulty wires are the most common causes of holiday fires in residences.

Therefore, this noble holiday symbol is far from being a residential safety problem. Make plans to get your real Christmas tree at Trim Pines Farm this year!

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