I have kept my Christmas trees alive well beyond New Years and people always comment on how nice they look. I'll show you the steps that I take to set up my tree and keep it looking fresh all through the holiday season.

We braved the 80 degree weather today and headed out to our local Home Depot to get our tree.

First, pick out a full, fresh tree that makes you happy. We found this one after only looking at three. (I take a pair of gloves and a knife so I can open the bound trees looking for the freshest one) Our tree this year was still wet in the branches and some of the trunk. :D



Here are the tools you will need. A drill, a tree stand and a tree.


Have the tree lot give you a fresh cut on the bottom of the trunk. The size of the cut is not as important as making sure that the exposed wood is not sealing up with sap before you can get it into water.


User your drill to make holes around the base of the trunk. I usually go in about 1/4" all around the base in several rows. This will allow the water to be absorbed through the trunk as well as the cut at the bottom.


Here are the three rows of holes that I have drilled into the trunk.


The next step is to place the tree in the stand. I like the plastic stands although there are many different types out there. Have your lovely assistant hold the tree straight for you so you can tighten the screws that hold the tree into the base. (be sure to tell her you're taking a pic so she can smile)


Trim the branches at the bottom to allow room for adding water and lots of presents!


Once your tree is mounted in the stand it is time to take it into the house. This is one more step you may want to take. I break out the shop vac, put the hose in backwards and use it to blow as many of the loose needles out as I can. This makes for less clean up after moving the tree indoors.






Before setting the tree down, I like to use a tree bag. It is placed under the stand and the tree and allows you to pull it up over the tree when you are ready to take it outside to avoid a needle barrage on your floor.




Once the tree bag is placed, set your tree on top of it.


Now it is time to water the tree. I use warm water with a cup of sugar added. You can use asprin as well.











After you have added the water, roll up the excess tree bag around the base of the tree stand.


Then add your tree skirt...




Then sit back and enjoy your Christmas tree! Happy Holidays everyone!

 

sugar!! ur gonna run out when u wanna make cool-aid!!

haha nice hair

 

GREAT WRITE UP TAZ-MEISTER !!!

THIS WILL DEFINITELY WORK FOR US !!!



MELE KAIKIMAKA EVEYONE & HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

 

Well done Taz. Where you get the tree bag at?

 

Got it at Home Depot, 5 bucks, priceless when you are taking down the tree. You won't be vaccuming up needles in July!

 

Home Depot has a return policy of 1 year of anything live they sell.. you can return your tree at HD and they will take it back!.. the reason I know is because I worked there for 3 years and I know it's done every single year.. haha

 

does this apply after xmas is over?

 

yes.. that's mainly when tree's are returned.. AFTER christmas lol..

 

Holy crap. that's crazy! so it's like you are leasing the tree...and when you are done...you get your deposit back! Crazy....

 

I worked there and I HATED SEEING PEOPLE RETURNING THEIR TREES.. but HD did return them lol..

 

Thanks for the Great Tips there Taz, Your a PIMP! Any tips on How to mount that on an xB for a x-mas Parade?? LMAO!
J/K bro

 

now where's the cathode/led install DIY?

 

The G/F wouldn't let me bring the xB battery in the house or this bad boy would have had under branch lighting and full cold cathodes! (i'm still working on a way to sneak it in)

<<turns head quickly to make sure she's not looking over my shoulder

 

Your Box looked awesome even without a tree at the Chula Vista parade.

 

Sweet!! Post up some pics when ya geter done!
That would be awesome,an ice cold blue cathode Tree! WOOT!

 

Must have been a local thing. This is from the Home Depot website:

Plants & Live Goods
Plants and live goods, including cut flowers and holiday trees, wreaths and garland, are non-refundable. Please call us at 1-800-430-3376 within 3 days of delivery to report damaged plants and/or live goods and we'll promptly ship a replacement.