How to not have a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Selection
The best way to ensure the most beautiful Christmas tree is to cut your own from a local farm, or have one cut for you. It guarantees freshness, trees will be replenished, and you can choose your size! Not to mention it helps out your neighbour by preserving local jobs and you'll cut down on shipping costs -- not to mention the carbon emissions of cross-country transport.

If you are buying a pre-cut tree from a nursery, store or scout troop, ask them how recently they were harvested, and where they came from. If you aren't impressed with the answers, shop elsewhere. Also inspect them yourself by feeling the needles: they should be flexible, not dry and brittle. The fresher the tree, the longer it will last in your living room.

Handling
Wrap it in a plastic tarp to protect it for the journey home. If you bought a pre-cut tree, it's important to make a cut across the bottom, removing an inch or so off the bottom. That's because once it is cut, the sap in the tree will start sealing over the base, and this will hinder its ability to absorb water. That process takes about three hours. As long as you live reasonably close, you can ask the dealer to make the cut for you.

Watering
As soon as possible, get the tree in water. Either set it up in its stand or place it in a bucket if you aren't going to trim it right away. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresher. A rough rule of thumb is that a typical tree might absorb a quart of water for each inch of its diameter. This means many stands need to be topped off daily.

To Feed or Not to Feed?
Some people swear by commercial Christmas tree preservatives, which can be mixed into the water in the stand. While others prefer to add a tablespoon of corn syrup or sugar in the basin water as a food source for the tree, some people even use an aspirin (not good if you have animals!)

Setting

Keep the tree away from direct sunlight, heaters or fans, as these will speed up the drying process. Experts suggest using a room humidifier, which can help keep the needles fresher longer, as well as reduce fire risk.

Speaking of fire risk, make sure any lights you put on the tree are in good working order, and are designed for the purpose. Newer LED holiday lights cost only pennies a season to run, so they are a good value, while they also decrease fire risk because they stay cooler. Also make sure to keep any open flames away from the tree.

Found on MSN Lifestyle

Cleanup

Christmas Tree Disposal

The following sites have been set up to receive Christmas trees following the holidays. From December 26, 2009 to January 11, 2010, please bring your tree to one of the following locations: (Signs will be placed to indicate drop-off areas in these parking lots)

Crossman Community Centre-Kay Arena

Ball field of Crowley Farm Road

Dud James Arena

Moncton Coliseum

Mapleton Park (George Rd.parking lot)

Moncton Wesleyan Church ( northwest corner of parking lot)

Fairview Knoll playground (at south end of Fairview Knoll Dr.)

There is also free drop-off at the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation beginning December 26. Info: 877-1040

Residents who are not able to bring their trees to one of these drop-off locations may set them out at the curb on their regular garbage pick-up night during the week of January 11 to 15, 2010 only. Info: 859-2643