Caring for your real Ohio Christmas tree is easy... 

   The only way to keep your tree fresh throughout the holiday season is to START with a fresh cut tree from a local grower. Pine Tree Barn had been the leader in fresh cut and cut your own Christmas trees for over 55 years. Here are some tips on keeping your tree at it's best.

1. Shelter it - Once you've chosen your tree, keep it in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage to protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to place it and decorate it.
2. A fresh cut - Before you set up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk (about a quarter inch up from the original cut is enough) and place the tree in a tree stand that holds a gallon of water or more.
3. Water - Warning: Keep the tree stand filled with water.  A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled.  If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need to be made.

A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter.  Water is important because it prevents the needles from drying and dropping off and the boughs from drooping.  Water also keeps the tree fragrant.

A cut Christmas tree will last the entire holiday season without becoming excessively dry or dropping an excessive amount of needles provided it is fresh when purchased and it is given the proper care.

Additional tips - Keep your tree away from heat and draft sources like fireplaces, radiators and television sets.  Test your light cords and connections before hanging them on the tree to make sure they're in good working order.  You don't want to use cords with cracked insulation or broken or empty sockets.  Also be sure to unplug the lights before you go to bed or leave the house.  Never overload electrical circuits.

©Pine Tree Barn and Farms
4374 Shreve Road
Wooster, Ohio 44691