How Do You Keep Your Pine Needle Christmas Trees From Drying Out, Dying Or Dropping Needles?

How do you keep your Pine Needle Christmas Trees from drying out, dying, or dropping needles?

Make sure your tree stays fresh before you set it up.

Choose a Christmas tree that is less likely to drop needles.

Kevin Bosworth of David's Portland, Maine office recommends choosing fir while avoiding spruce.

Choose a fresh tree to reduce the chance of needle drops.

Best: A Christmas tree with a root ball is less likely to shed needles because it's still alive.

Even better: If you can, choose to chop down your own tree at a Christmas tree farm.

Good: If you bought a pre-cut tree, shake it vigorously to make sure the needles don't fly away. Its problems only get worse when you get home.

Help your tree drink more water.

If you don't plan to erect the tree the same day you get it, place it in a bucket of water. Then, store in a cool, dry place away from cold temperatures and strong sunlight.

When it's time to set it up, cut an inch or so from the bottom of the trunk before putting it in the stand.