PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — Ah yes, the smell of a fresh-cut tree in the living room is a Christmas staple for many homes in central Georgia. But the pressure is on because, unlike artificial trees, you have to make sure the tree is in tip-top shape leading up to Christmas, and that responsibility starts as soon as you hit the Christmas tree farm!
Michael Roberts, owner of Robert's Tree Farm in Peach County, says, "The one key factor in making sure that tree takes up the right amount of water is taking care of that cambium layer."
That's right, he didn't say poking holes in the hardwood part of the trunk. But what is the cambium layer? It's a thin layer of the tree trunk between the bark and the hardwood.
Roberts says you've got about 2 hours from when the tree is cut down to get it upright in its final destination and submerged in water. But before you put it in water, you want to ensure the cambium layer is still in good shape.
"What you want to do is make sure that outer layer is not caked up with sap or resin," Roberts says.
But, if it is, you'll want to cut about a quarter to a half inch from the bottom to expose a fresh part of the cambium layer.
When you put the tree in its final position, you'll also want to keep it away from direct heat sources. This could include fireplaces and, yes, even heating vents.
"If you have a vent near by and you want to put the tree up, just temporarily block that vent off," Roberts says.
Another thing to consider is keeping the tree out of direct sunlight. One other heat source on trees? Yep, those Christmas lights. LED lights emit less heat than the traditional incandescent lights