How to Properly Mount and Dispose Your Christmas Tree

Since most of us have placed so much effort and time in selecting and preparing a Christmas tree, we should give it the proper care that it deserves. You would not want to see the branches break even before the season is over. Needles that have started to become brown or yellow will become a disappointment, too. If you give it the proper care, your tree may last as long as five to six weeks.

The first thing you should do after you have bought a tree is to make a fresh diagonal cut by cutting an inch off the bottom and to place it into a stand filled with water. Never mount a dry Christmas tree. Make it a point to refill the water in its stand regularly. If you will not be able to make a cut immediately when you arrive home, the vessels of the tree that transport water will be blocked as the tree is exposed to air. If this happens, make another fresh cut and place it in a container filled with water as soon as possible.

Before mounting your Christmas tree, find a secure stand and place it away from the fireplace and air vents. Fireplaces are fire hazards, and air vents will only dry your tree out. After mounting it, you may now begin to decorate it. Even when decorating, you must observe precautions to avoid fire hazards.

Never use ornaments with open flames or candles. If you use commercially prepared Christmas lights, make sure that the bulbs are working properly. Check all the connections and all the cords. There should be no damage and everything should be intact. If you find even one tiny exposed wiring or a bulb that is not working, do not use it.

In choosing a Christmas stand, keep in mind that it is the most important item to consider to make your Christmas tree last longer. Find out the maximum amount of water it can hold when a tree is placed in it. Do not judge it directly by the volume it can hold without the tree, because some water will be displaced once you place the tree in it.

The National Christmas Tree Association has found out that an average tree can absorb as much as one gallon of water per day. Keep this in mind when placing water in the stand, and be sure to replenish it regularly. To ensure that your tree gets enough water, the association recommends the use of one quart of water for each inch of the tree trunk diameter.

When it is time to keep the tree, make sure that you have removed it before any sign of drying out has appeared. You can discuss options on how to discard your Christmas tree with your municipality. In other communities, they have a pick-up date and a cut-off date. They may also require you to take your tree to a specific location. They may even consider picking it up from your garbage cans. Whatever your choice is, remind yourself not to burn it in the fireplace. Doing so will cause build up of creosote-a colorless, oily substance. If you are environmentally sensitive, you can try cutting it to pieces and using it for mulch.