Care of fresh Christmas tree?

[Yooper]

I ordered a tree to be delivered this year. Right after I did that, we discovered that we have to be out of town when it is going to be delivered. I have a neighbor that is willing to meet the delivery people and pay them. What should I have him to with the tree? It will be cold, between 20-40 degrees. We have an enclosed front porch and a garage, both will be just a little warmer than outside. We will be back 5 days after it is delivered. The neighbor is not going to be able to cut the end off, get it inside, and in a stand by himself, so that is not an option.

Should he just leave it as is on the front porch/garage or inside? Does it need to be in water, even if the water will freeze? It will be bundled. Should he leave it or cut the bundling?

Help!

[HeatherAtHome]

Well, the obvious answer would be to switch your deliver date to after you're home.

If that's not possible, I *believe* a tree will stay nice and "fresh" if it's outside/frozen. Then when you come home, slice of the bottom, let it acclimatise to indoor temps and put in water.

I'm not 100% sure on this though, so hopefully someone with more tree experience will come along.

[Yooper]

I wish I could change the delivery date. It is through our local university's Forestry Club. It is a small operation and they deliver on one day only.

[wholewheatchick]

Cool, from the forestry club? I was in the forestry club at Oregon State University when I went there.

Anyway, don't put the tree in water. Leave the end uncovered, so that as the sap expands if it freezes, it can squeeze out the bottom of the tree. I would have them put it in the enclosed front porch, leaning into a corner.

When you get home, cut the base off, like you said. And give the tree sugar water, instead of plain water, in its base/holder. I usually do about 1/3 c. sugar for 1/2 gallon of water.

[Yooper]

Originally Posted by wholewheatchick

Cool, from the forestry club? I was in the forestry club at Oregon State University when I went there.

Anyway, don't put the tree in water. Leave the end uncovered, so that as the sap expands if it freezes, it can squeeze out the bottom of the tree. I would have them put it in the enclosed front porch, leaning into a corner.

When you get home, cut the base off, like you said. And give the tree sugar water, instead of plain water, in its base/holder. I usually do about 1/3 c. sugar for 1/2 gallon of water.

Thanks! Do you happen to know how long trees are usually bundled and out of water during normal transport and sale? These are going to be cut the day before delivery so I am thinking that ours might be better off than normal lot trees anyway.....being out of water only 5 days. Should our neighbor unbundle it or leave it bundled?

Yes, Forestry Club We have a rather large School of Forestry here. They do this every year and it is a great deal. Especially the part where dh and I do not have to have the annual "you are tying it to the car wrong" fight and then the "oops, the tree is on the highway" fight. This year we just get to have the "why is the Christmas tree leaning" fight and the "why is there a cat where the angel should be?" discussion Tis the season!

[Ola_]

Around here it seems like the places selling Christmas trees have them outside until they're sold. Most are under a roof but still outside and many are not bundled (I haven't seen them in water, but we're just around freezing temps right now). I think yours will probably do fine in the setup you describe.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Yooper

Thanks! Do you happen to know how long trees are usually bundled and out of water during normal transport and sale? These are going to be cut the day before delivery so I am thinking that ours might be better off than normal lot trees anyway.....being out of water only 5 days. Should our neighbor unbundle it or leave it bundled?

Yes, Forestry Club We have a rather large School of Forestry here. They do this every year and it is a great deal. Especially the part where dh and I do not have to have the annual "you are tying it to the car wrong" fight and then the "oops, the tree is on the highway" fight. This year we just get to have the "why is the Christmas tree leaning" fight and the "why is there a cat where the angel should be?" discussion Tis the season!