How to keep your tree fresh until New Year’s

A fresh fir, cared for well, will look great through the holidays and into the new year. After 17 seasons, I can tell you it comes down to four things.

1. Water, water, water

This is the big one. Fill the stand as soon as the tree is up and check it every day. A tree can drink a quart or more a day in the first week. Never let the water drop below the base of the trunk.

If the stand does run dry, the cut can seal with sap. Pour in hot (not boiling) water to help it start drinking again.

2. Keep it cool

Heat is what dries a tree out. Keep it away from:

• Heat vents and radiators

• Fireplaces and wood stoves

• Sunny windows that bake in the afternoon

If you can, close the vent nearest the tree. A humidifier in the room helps a lot in older Chicago homes.

4. Check it with your hands

Once a week, brush your hand along a branch. Needles should stay attached and branches should bend without snapping. That touch test tells you more than the calendar does. 

Skip the myths

You don't need aspirin, sugar, soda, or bleach in the water. Plain tap water is what your tree wants.

When the season's over

Book removal and we'll take it out, clean up, and recycle it. No needles down the stairwell. You can add removal to any tree order on our trees page.