Planning to put up a live Christmas tree this holiday season? Keith Mickler, UGA Cooperative Extension agent for Floyd County, has advice – make sure the tree is fresh before you take it home. The best way to do that is to feel its branches; if an abundance of needles fall from the branches, select a different tree.
Once you have found the perfect live Christmas tree and take it home, make a three inch cut from the bottom of its trunk and put it in some water. That will increase the tree’s chances of making it through the holidays, says Mickler.
And a word of caution from Mickler – never place a live Christmas tree by a fireplace. It may look festive, but it’s a fire hazard!