Anonymous
11/21/2023 19:11
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Every year we get a tree on Friday after thanksgiving. Every year we take it to the curb when we leave to visit family on 12/27. We water it religiously- like more than once a day. It’s never been an issue.
Also with LED lights, I think the fire hazard is way lower than when people used lights that were warm to the touch.
Yes, but I can't find any that are a true warm, soft glowing white. I can't stand bluish white tree lights.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 18:52
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
We cut our own the day after Thanksgiving. It stays up until New Years Day (give or take depending on what day of the week Jan. 1 falls on). We have never caught fire. But, if you cause a draft walking past that last week, you will hear a shower of needles cascading down. Always get a fresh cut the day you purchase (if not cutting your own), water immediately and keep an eye on the water because in those first few days, a really fresh tree might need water more than once. (I don't think it really helps, but some people add sprite to the water also.)
Anonymous
11/21/2023 18:14
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
This is why every year I cut down an artificial tree. That way everyone is mad.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 18:12
Subject: Re:If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We buy precut trees at Lowe’s or Whole Foods. Some years we’ve gotten trees that stayed nice for weeks. Some years we’ve gotten trees that looked fine at the tree lot, but never drank a bit of water (even though they do cut off the base of the trunk at the time of purchase), and they dried out immediately. Most years, the tree is getting dry by Christmas but still looks okay. If you’re making sure the tree stays watered, using strings of lights that aren’t old, and making sure the lights are unplugged when no one is around the tree, the fire risk isn’t that high. When the lights aren’t even plugged in, the tree is not going to spontaneously burst into flames.
Thanks PP! Op back. Ah! Ok, my coworker described it as a giant match but this is good to know about the lights. When I have had fake trees I have kept the lights on overnight. I never would have thought about this! Thank you!
Thank you other pps too! We live in an apartment without a balcony and a unit across the building suffered a catastrophic fire one year when their tree caught fire from fireplace. I am not sure of specifics . But I’m learning a lot reading up on real tree maintenance.
A real tree is a huge fire hazard and a TON of work. I would stick with artificial. It’s like getting a dog - most people have no clue what they are signing up for.
Not to start a Christmas tree war, but this is objectively the wrong answer. Nothing beats a real tree!!!
Had real trees the first 24 years of my life and could not disagree more. I am a fake tree convert for life.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 16:52
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
Um, you do know that they grow Christmas trees specifically to be cut down, right? On farms. They wouldn’t exist otherwise.
Also you know what is really bad for the environment? Plastic trees.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 16:49
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
And never use paper!!! Or cardboard!! Or build your house out of wood!!!
Anonymous
11/21/2023 16:48
Subject: Re:If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We buy precut trees at Lowe’s or Whole Foods. Some years we’ve gotten trees that stayed nice for weeks. Some years we’ve gotten trees that looked fine at the tree lot, but never drank a bit of water (even though they do cut off the base of the trunk at the time of purchase), and they dried out immediately. Most years, the tree is getting dry by Christmas but still looks okay. If you’re making sure the tree stays watered, using strings of lights that aren’t old, and making sure the lights are unplugged when no one is around the tree, the fire risk isn’t that high. When the lights aren’t even plugged in, the tree is not going to spontaneously burst into flames.
Thanks PP! Op back. Ah! Ok, my coworker described it as a giant match but this is good to know about the lights. When I have had fake trees I have kept the lights on overnight. I never would have thought about this! Thank you!
Thank you other pps too! We live in an apartment without a balcony and a unit across the building suffered a catastrophic fire one year when their tree caught fire from fireplace. I am not sure of specifics . But I’m learning a lot reading up on real tree maintenance.
A real tree is a huge fire hazard and a TON of work. I would stick with artificial. It’s like getting a dog - most people have no clue what they are signing up for.
Not to start a Christmas tree war, but this is objectively the wrong answer. Nothing beats a real tree!!!
Anonymous
11/21/2023 15:22
Subject: Re:If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We buy precut trees at Lowe’s or Whole Foods. Some years we’ve gotten trees that stayed nice for weeks. Some years we’ve gotten trees that looked fine at the tree lot, but never drank a bit of water (even though they do cut off the base of the trunk at the time of purchase), and they dried out immediately. Most years, the tree is getting dry by Christmas but still looks okay. If you’re making sure the tree stays watered, using strings of lights that aren’t old, and making sure the lights are unplugged when no one is around the tree, the fire risk isn’t that high. When the lights aren’t even plugged in, the tree is not going to spontaneously burst into flames.
Thanks PP! Op back. Ah! Ok, my coworker described it as a giant match but this is good to know about the lights. When I have had fake trees I have kept the lights on overnight. I never would have thought about this! Thank you!
Thank you other pps too! We live in an apartment without a balcony and a unit across the building suffered a catastrophic fire one year when their tree caught fire from fireplace. I am not sure of specifics . But I’m learning a lot reading up on real tree maintenance.
A real tree is a huge fire hazard and a TON of work. I would stick with artificial. It’s like getting a dog - most people have no clue what they are signing up for.
A ton of work????
1. Selection and transport
2. Stringing lights
3. Watering/checking water level
4. Vacuuming needles
5. Removing tree to the curb (and oh the needles!)
Anonymous
11/21/2023 15:18
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
I grew up on a Christmas tree farm. My dad was constantly educating buyers:
- get a fresh cut on your tree when you buy it and get it in water ASAP, especially in a climate like this one that's above freezing
- keep the tree watered. If it runs out you need a fresh cut off the bottom
- check for freshness - you should be able to bend the needle in half between your thumb and forefinger without it breaking or cracking
-buying from a farm will get you better quality than Lowes, WF or a random lot somewhere
For those concerned about the environmental impact, farms typically replant a new tree in the spring for every one cut.
- get a fresh cut on your tree when you buy it and get it in water ASAP, especially in a climate like this one that's above freezing
- keep the tree watered. If it runs out you need a fresh cut off the bottom
- check for freshness - you should be able to bend the needle in half between your thumb and forefinger without it breaking or cracking
-buying from a farm will get you better quality than Lowes, WF or a random lot somewhere
For those concerned about the environmental impact, farms typically replant a new tree in the spring for every one cut.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 14:28
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
Wouldn’t a fake one go to a landfill any way?
lol NO they last forever, we have the same one for 20+ years!!!!
Anonymous
11/21/2023 14:09
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
Wouldn’t a fake one go to a landfill any way?
Freecycle or garage sale. They last forever.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 13:58
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
Wouldn’t a fake one go to a landfill any way?
Anonymous
11/21/2023 13:41
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
I agree with the advice given. We cut ours the day after t giving and keep it up til new years. We water it daily and we unplug the lights before heading upstairs. It is not hard but you do have to incorporate it into your routine so you don’t forget.
Anonymous
11/21/2023 13:31
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Please! Do not cut down a living tree!!
And don’t buy a cut one. These are so horrible for our environment and only encourage climate change!
If you cut down a real try or buy a cut one, you are a climate-change denying MAGA!
Anonymous
11/21/2023 13:26
Subject: If you get a real tree every year, can you get it this week and keep it until 12/25? Or is there a time limit?
Anonymous wrote:Don’t leave lights on overnight. Not even on a fake tree.
+100
Also heads up: if you have allergies live trees can make your allergies much worse...