Purdue Extension Service

Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Christmas Tree Safety

By Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator, Vanderburgh County, IN

For the Evansville Courier and Press, November 26, 2006

One of the activities some families participate in during the Thanksgiving weekend is beginning the hunt for their family Christmas tree. This is a good time to talk about safety, selection, and avoiding some surprising nuisances.

Freshness is a very important factor, both for safety as well as having an attractive tree to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Fresh cut trees from our local tree farms are by far the freshest, and with all of the rain we've had lately, they should be nice and hydrated.

With pre-cut trees in tree lots, you may want to examine the tree carefully for freshness before purchasing it. In general, each tree should have a healthy, green appearance without a large number of dead or browning needles. Needles should appear fresh and flexible and should not come off in your hand if you gently stroke a branch. A useful trick is to lift a cut tree a couple of inches off the ground and let it drop on the cut butt. Green needles should not drop off the tree. A few dried, inner needles may fall, but the green outer needles should not be affected.

When you get the tree home, make a fresh cut across the bottom of the stump, about 1 inch above the old base. This removes any resin-clogged wood that may not readily absorb water. Cut off any broken or unwanted limbs while the tree is still outside. Also, examine the tree carefully and remove any unwanted hitchhikers, such as wasp nests or praying mantis egg sacs.

The tree should be placed in a stand with a large reservoir of water and located in the room. Depending upon the size, species, and location of the tree, it may absorb a gallon of water in the first day, so it should be checked frequently and re-watered as necessary. Although some people advocate placing various substances in the water to preserve freshness, we recommend that you simply keep the tree well-watered with well water (or pure tap water). As long as the tree is able to absorb and transpire water, it is reasonably fire-resistant.

The Christmas tree should be located in a safe place, preferably near a wall or corner where it is not likely to be knocked over. Keeping the tree away from heat sources such as hot air ducts, wood stoves, fireplaces, etc., will help to preserve freshness and lessen fire danger. Similarly, light cords and connections used in decorating the tree should be in good working condition. Lights should always be turned off at bedtime or when leaving for an extended period of time.

After the Christmas holiday, don't throw your tree in the trash. Bring it to the annual Holiday Recycling Day, which will be Saturday, January 6, at the Evansville Civic Center parking lot. Keep reading my column for more details!

For more information, contact the Purdue Extension Service at (812) 435-5287.