Christmas Tree FAQ's

Click on the question below to see the answer.

Do I have to cut my own tree?

You can cut your own tree or someone on our staff can cut your tree for you. You can bring your own hacksaw or we can provide one for you.

Is it okay to buy a tree that is losing its needles?

Some dropping of older, interior needles is natural and normal. However, if the overall color is faded, the bark of the outer twigs is wrinkled and the green, exterior needles easily fall off at a gentle touch or when the tree is bounced on a hard surface, it is excessively dry. Select a different one.

Is a fresh cut really necessary before putting a tree in a water stand?

Always make a fresh cut if possible. After time, generally 3 to 6 hours, the cut stump gets air in the plant tissue, which lessens a tree's water absorption capacity. A fresh cut will reopen the pores that take up water.

How much should be cut off?

Only one half inch is necessary, not one or two inches as is sometimes instructed.

Will tapering the base or cutting it at an angle increase the area that takes up water?

No. This reduces the surface area of plant tissue that absorbs water molecules. Once the water level falls below the exposed surface on a tapered trunk, drying will begin. An angle or "V" cut will require more water depth to cover the cut surface. It also makes the tree more difficult to hold upright in a stand and less stable.

Should I add bleach, aspirin, fertilizer or other things to the water to make trees last longer?

No! Research has shown that plain tap water is needed. Some commercial additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree's moisture retention and increase needle loss. Water holding stands that are kept filled with plain water will extend the freshness of trees for weeks.

How large should my water stand be?

Choosing a large capacity stand is one of the most important steps to maintaining tree freshness. Avoid small "coffee cup" stands. Check the water level frequently since trees can drink large amounts of water each day, particularly pre-cut trees during the first week of display. Generally, a tree can use up to one quart of water per day for each inch of stem diameter. Therefore, a stand that will hold a four-inch trunk should hold at least one gallon of water with the tree in the stand.

What kind of tree stand should I use and how big should it be?

There are several different types and styles of tree stands to choose from. The most important characteristic is water capacity. You should also make sure the stand "fits" the tree -- if it is too big or too small it might cause the tree to tip over. Do NOT trim the sides of the trunk to fit it in a stand. Ask the retailer if you need advice.

What if my tree doesn't seem to be absorbing water in the stand?

If you''ve followed all the care tips (keep it out of sun and wind, as well as making a fresh cut off the base before setting it up indoors) there are a couple of things to consider. First, if you cut your own tree at a choose and cut farm, it will not absorb water right away since it has not had time to begin drying out. Second, the best indicator of dryness is the tree itself, not the water level in the stand. The rate of water absorption will fluctuate from day to day. This is normal.

What if I forgot to make a fresh cut off the base of the tree before setting it up?

If a fresh cut was not made the tree will still take up water, but at a reduced rate. Hot tap water in the tree stand increases water uptake in some trees. If still concerned, do the freshness test every few days and continue to add water to the stand.

Should I be concerned about bugs being in a tree?

Although extremely rare, a number of different insects and spiders have been found in Christmas trees after setup. Cleaning and shaking trees before setup are valuable preventive actions. If troublesome after setup, the first thing to do is to vacuum. If necessary, household insect sprays specifically labeled for use indoors on ornamental plants and evergreens may also be used, following label directions. Common sense dictates that tree lighting be turned off before any sprays are applied to Christmas trees.

What is the best species of Christmas tree?

The best species is the one YOU like best. Read through the species section of our website and find the one that has the most characteristics you desire, then go to a lot or farm and have fun shopping for just the right tree!

What type of tree smells the best?

The sense of smell is very subjective. Different people smell things differently. If you go to species section of our website, you will get general descriptions about the fragrance of the tree species.

Isn't it bad for the environment to cut down a tree and use it for Christmas?

You have 2 choices: First, you can use a renewable, recyclable natural product grown on farms throughout North America; or, you can use a non-renewable, non-biodegradable, plastic and metal product made in a Chinese factory. You pick. It is much better environmentally to use a natural agricultural crop and recycle it after the Holidays.

I thought I'd buy a living tree with its roots intact and plant it after Christmas so I don't have to kill a tree. How do I do that?

First of all, you're not "killing" a tree by using a Real Christmas Tree. Unfortunately many people have the misconception that Christmas Trees are cut down from the forest. Real Christmas Trees are actually grown as crops, just like corn or wheat, and raised on a farm. Once they are harvested, new seedlings are planted to replace harvested trees. These would NOT have been planted if trees hadn't been harvested the previous year. If you need landscape trees anyway, then a rooted tree may be a good option. Whether "balled & burlapped" trees or potted, you can find tips here.

Where can I recycle my tree after Christmas?

Successful tree recycling programs are coordinated on a local basis. In most communities, the news outlets (TV stations and newspapers and radio) will provide the info on drop off locations and dates or any curbside pick up programs.