Does Giving Your Christmas Tree Viagra Help it Last Longer and Other Tree Care Myths

I was once told that if you put vinegar in your Christmas tree water, it would last longer. According to our expert, that's just not so.Tony McCammon, the U of I Horticulture Educator for Magic Valley offers up some great advice on how to get the most out of your Christmas tree.

Cut it if you can - The fresher the better.

Tony says that one of the challenges with trees is that they immediately begin to dry out from the moment they're cut.  So if a tree on a lot was cut somewhere just before Thanksgiving, it may have gone a couple weeks or more without water before it gets to you.

If you can't cut your own, buy early in the season.  

Again it seems that time and water are against us.  The longer your tree is without water, the sooner it will start to lose needles. Buy as early as you can and get it in water right away.

When you get it home, cut the base.

This goes especially for the trees that are on lots. After trees have been sitting for a while, the siphon starts to close up. Cutting about 1/4 inch off the base and will open up the siphoning in the tree and allow it to take in water more effectively.

How to keep your tree fresh for as long as possible.

Tony also dispelled some myths about home remedies for keeping your tree as fresh as possible.  He's heard everything from putting a penny in the water to Viagra.  That doesn't work, by the way... but feel free to try for yourself.  ('It's for my Christmas tree.'  'Suuuuure it's for your Christmas tree.')  There's also some misinformation out there about pouring 7-Up/Sprite or sugar in the tree water.  That's also a bad idea.  Sugar breeds bacteria, fungus, mildew and mold.  That will actually clog the tree siphon and shorten the life of your tree.

Give your tree plenty of water.

The best thing you can do for a tree is give it lukewarm water.  Use about a quart of water per inch caliper at the base of the tree.  Most trees are about 4 inches in diameter so you're looking at feeding your tree about a gallon of water per day.  You can get a good four weeks or more out of your tree if you follow these simple steps.

2015 Master Gardener Course at U of I Magic Valley

If you're interested in learning more about all things that grow, U of I has a master gardener program that begins in January.  This 13 week program is for anyone who's interested in growing things well and covers everything from basic plant information to soils, landscape design and insect and disease management.

If you're interested extensive horticulture training, classes are being held in Twin Falls, Shoshone and Rupert beginning January 27th, 2014.  For more information, you can call Tony McCammon at 734-9590 or hortmagic.org or find them on facebook.