Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 10:59:57 -0500
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Christmas Trees
There was recently a suggestion posted about additives to use in water for preserving Christmas Trees. We hear these suggestions so often, they tend to take on the ring of truth. But when researchers evaluate these additives, so far they have found that nothing works better than water. They even report that some additives actually accelerate the tree’s drying out.
http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/hb66/155christmastrees.pdf
I recently posted an article on caring for your Christmas tree at
http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=EXCE+15
Whether it’s fresh cut or balled and burlapped, there may be more than you would have thought about how to keep it fresh – and safe.
alcooke
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center
N.C. Cooperative Extension
PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html