How to Keep Your Real KY Christmas Tree Looking Great This Holiday Season

When I was growing up, we always had a fresh Christmas tree. I was too young to remember, but my grandparents even got the families together to chop our own trees down. Having a real tree in the house was so cool. Getting to participate in an old-time tradition, and the smell of Fraser Fir in the living room were definitely perks. However, live trees come with a set of challenges.

Protect Your Tree From Pets

For us personally, that meant dealing with an ongoing cartoon-worthy cat vs. tree situation and keeping the dog from drinking the tree's water. Protecting the Christmas tree from Looney Tunes pets is one way to make it last all December long. If you have curious animals, it's best to set up a gate of some sort or put a smaller tree up where your cute fur baby can't reach it.

How Long Will a Cut Christmas Tree Last?

Now, managing expectations is a good place to start. Once a tree is cut, it only has about a month/month and a half lifespan.  By that time you'll be ready to clean up and get the house back to "normal" right? Here are some other tips that will have it gorgeous and green through the Holiday season.

How to Make Your Real Christmas Tree Look Good

-When the Christmas tree was originally cut, the sap from inside the trunk then "sealed" the trunk. To help your tree drink up water, trim the end off again and immediately put it in the stand.

-I know this one seems the most obvious, but making sure the stand always has plenty of water is key. Check it morning and night so that the tree never goes without.

--Avoid any additives to the water. I have read some viral social media suggestions like putting aspirin or molasses in there to make a tree last longer. These and other things don't help. If anything, they could harm the tree. Trees say "just water please!"

-This may be tricky to do, but set your real Christmas tree up out of direct sunlight and away from a heat source like a fireplace. These things can dry out the limbs and needles. You should also use LED lights, which tend to not be as hot.

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I hope these tips help you have the best Christmas enjoying your fresh tree. They sure do add a touch of magic to the holidays.