Q&A for How to Care for a Christmas Tree

From a longevity standpoint, you can't beat a fir. Pines and spruces seem to dry out quicker in the home, while fir varieties hold up well and keep their needles better. The most popular varieties include Fraser firs, Douglas firs, and Noble firs. There are some pine varieties that are popular as well, as they are generally a little cheaper due to how quickly they grow.

A Christmas tree will last up to 8 hours without water. Make sure you mount your tree within 8 hours of cutting its base so it won't dry out.

No. The water you put in the tree stand should be enough to keep the tree moisturized.

You probably bought a bad Christmas tree. Contact the place where you got it to see if you can get a refund.

Don't buy a pine: buy a spruce, fir or cedar (each has a different smell). If you don't like the smell of the tree at all, opt for an artificial tree.

If you are very quick, drain the water and refill it.

Trees don't like hot water. They don't get the same nutrients the same way they would if cooler water was applied.

Use a tree cutter to trim back the broken branch.

Quite a while. A month or more if it is kept frozen. Once the tree thaws out, it starts to want water.

This is most likely due to the fact you are not replacing the water enough. Every day is a good idea; use a cup or mug to slowly remove the old water into the sink and replace.

No, trees don't get the same nutrition from hot water as they do cold water.

Without knowing what sort of tree we are talking about, I would say no. The damage you can cause to the tree could have permanent effects, exposing the tree to dangers in the environment that the bark is designed to protect it from. This can harm the tree and cause it to die off early.

The tree needs to have cold water. The hot water can actually hurt it.

No. If the tree was cut within three hours of being placed in the stand, and its trunk has been submerged while in the bucket, then your tree should be fine.

About a month. It'll stay green, but it will gradually start to lose needles.

The only thing you can really do to increase the life of your tree is to change the water every other day.

You need to cut a half inch to an inch off in order to ensure good water absorption.

You are probably not adding a lot of water and changing it every other day. You can try to save your Christmas tree by doing those steps. If the branches are starting to turn brown, it does show that the tree is slowly dying.

You can't. It's actually better for the tree to have some bare spots at the bottom so more water can be absorbed at the base of the tree.

Scent sticks can be found at your local craft store. They may smell overwhelming when you sniff them, but the scent evens out as it is exposed to open air.

You should try to buy the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Not many people go tree shopping so early.

Keep it watered (water at least twice a day, morning and night). Also, if it is dying, you can add plant food. You can also make sure the ornaments are not too heavy so the branches will not break. Pull off any dead needles.

We buy our tree a day or two after Thanksgiving, leaving it up until after the first of the year. With good care and maintenance, it lasts. No matter how well you care for your real tree, you will still have falling needles.

This will help the tree to last longer. It's up to you, though.

Don't over water! Try adding enriched soil or plant food at the base. The water goes down to the roots, so while it may seem dry, the tree may actually be okay. Watering the tree every day can flood the roots, damaging their ability to absorb water and protect the tree.

The day after Thanksgiving.

Trees don't drink water. You wet the surrounding soil so that the tree's roots can soak in the water and nutrients.

You can decorate it as soon as you buy it and set it up. Generally, anytime in December (or after Thanksgiving, in the US) is reasonable.

Place the bottom of the tree in a tub of water. Even though its roots are gone, it will still take in some water, though it will eventually die because it cannot take in enough water without roots.

The tree is most likely dead on the bottom if it is not absorbing water, so take the tree out and cut a piece off of the bottom to allow it to absorb the water.