Your Thirsty New Addition
Once you have the tree, you need to keep it well-watered. Otherwise it will become just like those dry trees that get left behind in a tree lot - losing needles, posing a fire hazard, and just plain old not looking very good.
When a tree is cut it quickly seals itself at the base. To make sure the water will actually get into your tree you need to saw an extra half-inch to two inches off the bottom to open it up. Then be sure to keep the new base of the tree under water at all times. The tree will soak up the most water in the first few days - enough that you may need to refill the stand more than once a day (a stand for a real tree should hold around four litres of water).
Christmas Tree Lights
Use high-quality, undamaged strings of lights to decorate your tree. Lights should be turned off whenever you won't be in the room or are going to bed. The new LED holiday lights give off far less heat than traditional Christmas lights, so if you have a real tree they're an even smarter idea (they should still be turned off when you're not around however). Oh, and no candles. No amount of watering will protect needles from that.
• Learn about the Toronto Hydro LED Festive Light Exchange
Other Decorations
As with all decorated trees, take care not to overload or unbalance the tree. If there will be pets or smaller children around at any time during the holiday season, avoid putting ornaments that are easily shattered or easily swallowed(!) on the lower branches.
Source and More Tips:
• Toronto Fire Services website
