This is a question that is often asked by people who have cut down their own tree or that have purchased a pre-cut tree, whether it is from a farm, a local lot or retail store.  It is amazing how long a tree that has been cut and shipped from another state can actually survive after being harvested.  The tree actually immediately heals itself by putting a barrier on the exposed cut, this is called a scab. This allows the tree to hold its natural moisture, unfortunately that will not last forever.  It is now our job and your job as a live Christmas tree owner to do everything possible to help it retain its freshness during the Christmas season.

We don’t know exactly when the pre-cuts we received were cut so it is vital to take care of their needs as best we can. When we receive the pre-cut trees we do our best to keep them out of the major elements. We attempt to cover them with burlap or put them inside structures (if able) and try to keep them watered as much as possible.  If it is an unusually warm season and windy this can make our jobs much harder.  Most of the trees we receive come from the Carolina’s, Oregon, Washington, or Michigan. The climate and elevation are so different in those states than that of Oklahoma.

Tree care tips can vary from one person to the next. I will attempt to give you some basic suggestions from my personal experience, the Farmer’s Almanac and from other Christmas tree associations.