Christmas Tree preservative

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maxwell_smart007

maxwell_smart007

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Does anyone have a good formula for preserving Christmas trees?

I've heard of all of the old staples - sprite, 7-up, corn syrup, bleach, Aspirin, etc, but I haven't tried them all - or had much luck with those I did try. Most just leave a sticky mess in the bottom of the reservoir.

I've used a product called StaFresh in the past, with great success, but can't find any locally. I was going to use just plain ol' water, but thought I'd see what others have had luck using.

And no, I am not planning on going with a fake tree. Christmas is one of the things we don't compromise on, and it's going to be a full, Swedish Christmas complete with a real tree! :smile:

Andrew
 
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Andrew…

I don't know whether or not it is about what additives to add to the water or to make sure your tree has been freshly cut. Many of our clients who sell Xmas wholesale begin to cut their trees in early October and by the time December 25th rolls around the needles are falling off when the dog sneezes.

You live in a sea of trees in northern Ontario go cut a fresh one on Crown land. FYI, you can do this legally and it's free! From the Ministry of Natural Resources website "A resident in Ontario is entitled to harvest one Christmas tree per family each year from Crown land north of the French and Mattawa Rivers."

Good luck… and it's good to see that someone still puts up a real tree.

Wade
 
Thank you, Wade - I did not know that! I knew we couldn't harvest firewood without a permit, but didn't realize the exclusion for a Christmas tree!

I already bought one this year, but I know exactly where to find one next year (just about anywhere - all we have are conifers!) :smile:

Since I've never heard of the French or Mattawa rivers, and I'm about as far North West as you can get and still have roads, I think I'm safe! :smile:
 
The best trees we have had were live ones. They cost a little more, but I have two beautiful trees growing in my yard now. We only put up a tree on the years that our kids and grand-kids are able to come for Christmas. The other years we are scrooges. To repeat a thought I had several years ago and posted on this forum, if I were young again, and into the wood working as I am now, I cut a chunk off of each tree, let it dry and than turn a Christmas ornament out of it. I'd put a little write up in the ornament about the Christmas that could be removed and read if someone desired. Be a great way to remember Christmas's past.
 
I haven't seen a live Christmas tree for sale here ever, Paul, or I'd be looking into that - but a live tree wouldn't be live after sitting out in the winter cold up here. We get significantly colder temperatures than just about anyone in North America, so we're limited to cut trees.

I'm going to save the chunk off the bottom and try your suggestion though! :smile:
 
Go to a flower shop and get some packets of the stuff(technical term of course)they use in flower arrangements, it really makes a difference
 
maxwell_smart007 said:
Thank you, Wade - I did not know that! I knew we couldn't harvest firewood without a permit, but didn't realize the exclusion for a Christmas tree!

I already bought one this year, but I know exactly where to find one next year (just about anywhere - all we have are conifers!) :smile:

Since I've never heard of the French or Mattawa rivers, and I'm about as far North West as you can get and still have roads, I think I'm safe! :smile:
Click to expand...

Andrew...

FYI, the French/Mattawa rivers are located just south on North Bay. You are about as far north in Ontario (perhaps with the exception of Souix Lookout or Red Lake) as you will get.

Wade
 
When I was doing tv I did a segment on xmas trees. Research shows that plain water works fine as long as the stand stays full. If it dries up, trim the bottom of the tree again cause it will sap over if the water runs out.
 
This recipe not only keeps the tree looking good and the needles on the tree and off the floor, it also makes the tree fire retardant.
2 cups Karo light corn syrup
2 ounces Clorox liquid bleach
1/4 teaspoon Epsom Salt
1/2 teaspoon Boraxo
1 teaspoon chelated iron
2 gallons of hot tap water.

Mix it all together in a 5 gallon bucket and let the cut end of the tree sit in the solution for 24 to 48 hours before putting in the tree stand.
After the tree has been placed in the stand, add 1/2 gallon water and 1 Bayer aspirin every 2 to 3
days.

If you don't like this recipe, your local florist (and the garden and landscape centers here) will sell you a powdered version of StaFresh.

This works well and sounds like more trouble than it
really is. There really is NO mess IF you preserve outside, then leave the "goo bucket" outside when you bring in the tree.
 
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I know it is much colder and much wetter where you live. During the Christmas season every year, Georgia gets a huge spike in deaths by accidental fire....from Christmas trees bursting into flames.

It has become such a problem that the Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Forestry Commission make public service announcement about fire proofing your Christmas tree. The also show films of rooms TOTALLY engulfed in raging fire within 1 minute of a tree fire.

Please fireproof your tree!
 
I usually go with a "Stay Fresh" type of additive, it's easiest and works well.

As for fire issues; Years ago I found an ornament that is a smoke/fire alarm but I haven't seen one for a long time. The oranment itself is a bit ugly, plain mirror green ball, and it's pretty heavy so I put it way inside near the trunk as high on the tree as I can. We just need to remember it's there when the tree comes down.

Chris
 
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