How to Take Care of a Live Christmas Tree

Now that Thanksgiving is over, many families are putting up their Christmas trees. If you are one of those families who love a real conifer, then you are probably already on the hunt for a good one. But finding the perfect tree is just the start; you must also do what’s necessary to ensure it stays perfect once it is in your home. Basically, it all comes down to routine tree care. Be sure you are prepared to take good care of your Christmas tree if you want it to retain its freshness, luster, and fragrance all month long!

Continue reading to learn some important maintenance tips for live Christmas trees, including how to prepare them, water them, and more!

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518


A Christmas tree will not require the same type of routine maintenance as would a tree that is planted in the ground with an attached root ball. Since Christmas trees have a severed the root ball, there is no need to provide it nutrients or sun; it will not be growing anymore. However, there are a few important things you can do to retain its freshness and appeal for as long as possible. Use the following tips to make your Christmas tree stand out among the rest!

Christmas Tree Care Tips:

🎄 Make a Fresh Cut Before Coming Home

If you have not already purchased and set up your Christmas tree, then be sure to make a fresh cut off the base of the trunk (at least one inch from the bottom) before you bring it home. You can ask the tree salesman to do this for you, or you can use a saw to do it yourself. A fresh cut allows the tree to intake water more efficiently, rendering more beautiful foliage and fragrance.

🎄 Do Not Place Your Tree By the Fire

Although Christmas trees and fireplaces seem to complement one another, they are not good neighbors. Not only can a live Christmas tree be a fire liability, heat sources in the home can accelerate evaporation and moisture loss in the tree. This will surely shorten its run. In addition to fireplaces, avoid setting up your tree near heat registers, space heaters, wood stove, TVs, computer monitors, and anything else that gets hot.

🎄 Water Your Tree ASAP

As soon as you have your freshly-cut tree placed in its stand in the spot where you want it, immediately give it some WARM water. A good Christmas tree stand should be able to hold 1 gallon of water or more, so give your tree as much as the stand will hold. In fact, it is common for a standard-sized Christmas tree to need 2 gallons of water on the first day it the stand.

🎄 Use Regular Tap Water

Do not to use any additives in the water, as there is no reason to since the tree is already severed from the root ball. Furthermore, such additives can cause premature moisture and pine needle loss. Scientific research has shown that tap water is best for indoor trees, so just use regular water from the sink to water your Christmas tree.

🎄 Inspect Your Tree Stand on a Daily Basis

Since you fill up the stand all the way, you do not have to water your Christmas tree every day. Instead, just check on it daily to ensure the water level has not dropped below the trunk base. If the cut section of the tree trunk is not in water, the base will seal up. So when the water level is close to the bottom of the Christmas tree, fill up the stand again with more warm water.

✨ Keep an eye out for next month’s blog about recycling your Christmas tree!

Professional Indianapolis Tree Service

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified tree care who provide a wide range of tree services for both residential and commercial properties, including tree trimming, tree pruning, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and much more. When you need quality tree removal services at a fair price, you have come to the right place!

Hardiness Zone facts for Trees, Flowers, and Plants

Wikipedia defines a hardiness zone as, “a geographic area defined to encompass a certain range of climatic conditions relevant to plant growth and survival.” If you are planning to remodel your landscaping this year or next, you will need to know some important facts about the Indiana hardiness zone map. Continue reading to get started!

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518

Facts About the U.S. Hardiness Zone Map

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.” This map is based on the average minimum temperature that occurs during the winter, per year, over the past 30 years. Here are some more pertinent facts!

🍃 The Hardiness Zone Map was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

🍃 It is the most commonly-used reference for growing trees, plants, flowers, crops, and more.

🍃 It defines 13 regional zones according to annual extreme minimum temperature.

🍃 Annual extreme minimum temperature is the lowest average temperature during a period of one year.

🍃 If a tree species is categorized as being hardiness zone 10, it means that it can withstand a minimum temperature of 30.2 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

🍃 Various forms of the Hardiness Zone Map have been developed to match other regional climates, such as Canada and other countries.

🍃 The UK Royal Horticultural Society and US Sunset Western Garden Book systems are other forms of hardiness rating classifications.

🍃 You can find the zone for your specific zip code by visiting this USDA.gov webpage and selecting your state.

🍃 The USDA Hardiness Zones for Indiana are 5 and 6, specifically 5b, and 6a, and 6b.

🍃 Common trees that are hardy to Indiana zones include Ash, Cedar, Pine, Hemlock, Elder, Birch, Beech, Cherry, Walnut, Chestnut, Buckeye, Hickory, Locust, Magnolia, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Willow, and more.

🍃 Warmer zones, such as 9 through 11, are located in the southern parts of the country where you’ll find more tropical-like flora, such as Palm trees.

🍃 Central and northern coastal areas are middle zones, between 6 and 8.

✨ We hope you enjoyed these popular agricultural facts! Be sure to share them with all your gardening friends! If you have questions about tree care, contact a licensed Indianapolis tree service company for expert information and advice you can trust.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Call A Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!