Tree care
Keeping a real tree fresh in Arizona
Desert air pulls water out of a tree fast. Water is the whole game.
The five rules
- 1Get it in water within six hours.We give every trunk a fresh cut on the lot. If it sits longer, cut half an inch off the bottom before it goes in the stand.
- 2Use a stand that holds enough.A tree drinks about a quart of water a day for every inch of trunk width. A 4-inch trunk needs a stand that holds at least a gallon.
- 3Never let the water run out.A tree drinks the most in its first week. If the base dries, sap seals the cut and the tree stops drinking.
- 4Keep it away from heat.Not next to a fireplace, heater vent, or a sunny window. A cooler room lasts longer.
- 5Use LED lights.They run cool and draw little power. Check cords before they go on the tree.
Quick math
1 quart of water a day per inch of trunk. Check the stand every morning for the first week.
Questions we hear on the lot
How long will a Noble fir last?
Kept in water and away from heat, a Noble fir usually stays fresh for four to five weeks.
Do I need to cut the trunk again at home?
Only if it sat out of water for more than six hours.
Should I add anything to the water?
Plain water works. We sell a preservative ($6) if you want one.
Can I whittle the trunk to fit my stand?
No. The outer layer does the drinking. Buy a stand that fits; we have four sizes.
What do I do with it after Christmas?
Book January haul-away ($49, free with Monday–Thursday delivery), or take it to your city's tree recycling drop-off.
Do you flock trees?
Not yet.