Live Christmas TREE ?

Question

I have never had a live tree b4 this yr. We put it up the Friday after Thanksgiving, got it at Lowes, They wre selling loads of them so we thought it must be a good time to get one.
Well it WAS gorgeous, an 8' fir... but now its dry n crunchy, and where there were ornaments the tree has shrunk up and I had already had to re-do this tree like 3 times, and I am about ready to throw it out the door. We had them drill a hole in bottom like the others were doing, and we have kept it watered, what did we do wrong? Where did we go wrong? I am heartbroke that our beautiful green tree has turned mostly brown and crunchy and no longer has the wonderful tree aroma. Do we need to get another one and start over?
HELP !

LAURA T............................

I never thought about Lowes taking the tree back. I just got off the phone w/ them and they will return or exchange the tree.
THANKS...but now I have to take all the junk down and start all over again, but at least we wont have a dead tree

Answer 1

I bought my tree the friday after thanksgiving as well, and it's still super green. The trick is to give it a fresh cut just before you put it in the stand, and NEVER let it dry out again (I water twice a day for the first few weeks). If you do sap will form on the cut and it won't be able to absorb any more water.

The new cut needs to be at least an inch up the trunk from the old cut and should be flat (no trimming the sides so it will fit in too small a stand)


My family has gotten their tree the weekend after thanksgiving for the last 20+ years and kept it up until new years with out a single tree dying. As long as the cut is clean and fresh, and it never dries out you should be fine.

On the bright side, I believe lowes will give you a new tree if you bring the dead one back. The lowes we got ours from also would cut the trunk for you. We cut ours at home, but as long as you don't have a long drive and you put it up the second you get home cutting it there should be fine)

Answer 2

You should buy it no earlier than 2 weeks ahead of time. I always buy Douglas Fir trees and they work well. You can put it ontop of a blanket or something to protect your floors. The tree holders I buy are plastic with a hole AND have the metal that you adjust to the trunk size and they work better because they keep the tree steady. Just pour water water directly into the trunk holder thing. Pour water all the way to the brim of the tree holder. When it comes to christmas trees, you can never have too much water. Look for whatever type of tree you want. If you have low ceilings, then make sure you don't get a tree that is too tall. You should really just buy the type of tree thgat you find the most visually appealing. Keep in mind that while they are at the tree forest the branches will be raised because it is fresh. After a day or so of being cut down, the branches will settle and spread out. In most places they put netting around the tree when you purchase it and they help you get it onto your car. The best way to keep it on is probably heavy duty bungee cords. Good luck with your tree! I've always liked fresh better because of the amazing pine smell it has. P.S. It is better to get the tree as late as you possibly can so it will stay fresh longer, but it is not neccesary to wait until the last minute. When you go to buy the tree shake the branches to see if pine needles are falling off. If they are, then the tree is not as fresh as it should be. As the tree starts to die in your home the needles will fall off. It is very easy to clean up with a broom or vacuum.

Answer 3

I'd get another one; this one has clearly seen better days. When you get a tree early, it's very difficult to keep it alive and well indoors for an entire month. If the tree was the least bit dry before you got it, even your best efforts at keeping it hydrated probably couldn't have done anything. In the future, I suggest avoiding chain stores, and going to tree lots. Find out where they shipped the trees from - the best ones in terms of longevity come from either the Maine/Vermont/New Hampshire areas, or the Pacific Northwest. When you get it, forget the hole in the center; that actually removes some of the most important parts of the tree's "circulatory system" and makes it all but impossible for the tree to take up water. Instead, cut a "slice" from the bottom of the trunk about an inch thick, and IMMEDIATELY put the tree in water. Be sure to add plenty of water each day - a healthy tree will actively take up water very quickly.

I suggest getting rid of your present tree immediately; a dry tree can be a tremendous fire hazard. Get a new one, and enjoy the rest of the season.

Answer 4

Yes. I would start over...you have enough time left to enjoy the tree for the remainder of the season. There are additives you can put in the water...apparently, the homemade additives do not help anymore than just regular water. Buy a commerically produced additive. Here is some info I found on the net:

A: This is a trick question. With the exception of three commercial products, no additive - commercial or prepared at home - has been found to improve the lasting quality of Christmas trees.

Research at WSU in 1989 found only Keeps-It-Green, Christmas Tree Preserver and Prolong did as well as water or better in maintaining tree freshness. Home recipes did no better than plain water.

However, it's important to start with a clean tree stand. Wash, then rinse the water reservoir of your stand with a mixture of one capful of bleach and one cup of water before using it. This helps prevent the growth of organisms, which plug up the water conducting tissues of the tree and prevent water uptake.

OK...I am back...it's me. First notice this study was done in 1989. There may be some other commercially prepared additves out there besides the ones mentioned, but first look for the 3 that the study noted seemed to work.

The other additional bit of info I would give to you is that when you buy your tree, see if they will cut off a little of the end that you stick into water (or do this yourself with a saw). This puts a fresh cut end into the water that is not already dried out and it will take in water better. Second, don't go to Lowe's or these places that sell trees in huge quatities. These trees may have been cut as far back as August or September. Look for a Christmas tree lot or a nursery that sells recently cut trees--ask them when they were cut. Finally, when you put it up at home, look for a relatively cool place to put it, if possible. Try to avoid closeness to heating vents where it will dry out quicker.

Good luck...I wish you a very Merry Christmas!!!

Answer 5

Bought it too early. Most people who buy real trees early end up with a pile of needles. Your doing all you can I'm sure, it's part of the experience of having a real tree I guess. Next year just buy some pine scented plug-ins and go back to the fake tree. If you really like the sent of fresh pine buy a wreath, they smell pretty good.

Answer 6

I'm sorry but it appears that your tree is dead. I would suggest you get an artificial one for next year and a pine scented candle. I got tired of my trees dying. They cut them down so early. Maybe if you are still wanting a real tree you could go to a tree farm and cut one down yourself. The chances of it going bad would be less than one cut to early.

Answer 7

i think it was because you got it really early and it probably didn't get any sunlight. you might have to get a new one, and remember to ask the employee do you have to do anything special for it to survive longer.

Answer 8

Your tree probably was sick or just died fast.