It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Stitched stockings hanging from the mantel add charm. Twinkling lights brighten up the room. The Christmas tree wows with its scent, ornaments and... brown needles?
No matter what Christmas decor you choose, brown tree needles don’t fit in. Even worse, when live Christmas tree needles fall off, it makes your tree look sparse and creates quite the mess.
You don’t have to let a declining tree dim your holiday season. Here’s what to do about a Christmas tree with brown needles that litter the floor.
Making sure your tree stays fresh starts well before you set it up.
Kevin Bosworth of Davey’s Portland, Maine, office recommends choosing firs while avoiding spruces.
“Spruces are notorious for dropping needles,” Bosworth says. “Pines are in the middle. They drop some needles, but not a ton.”
Naturally, your Christmas tree will drop a few needles here and there before the holidays are over. But to prevent massive needle drop, keep your tree hydrated and away from heat and drafts.
Your tree stand should always have water in it. You don’t want the basin to run out of water because the tree may seal its base with sap, which drastically reduces its ability to absorb water. Be sure to fill your tree stand daily to make sure that doesn’t happen. No need to add any preservatives to the water.
If cared for using the tips above, your Christmas tree should look good for up to five weeks or so.
But all live Christmas trees have an expiration date, which can come sooner if your tree doesn’t get enough water.
Sorry to say that once your tree starts browning, you can’t bring back the green. You can make sure the tree lives on by recycling it to spruce up your home or help your community.