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Keep That Christmas Tree Safe!
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Helpful Products from Gardens Alive!
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Shrubs Alive!™ for Acid-Loving Plants
I do so because I refuse to be late with my Christmas tree tips again this season! More and more of you are getting your trees into the house earlier every year, and so I want to deliver my safe tree directions NOW—while everyone can still benefit.
Your Three-Part Secret "Recipe" for a Fireproof Tree!
This time of year I get a lot of requests for special recipes that are "guaranteed" to make a tree fireproof when the specified witches brew of household chemicals is added to the water. The endlessly photo-copied, worn-out sheets describing these concoctions have great "urban legend" backgrounds: A rocket scientist at {pick your company: Dow, Monsanto, the old Allied Chemical; I've seen them all} came up with the formula; and its "guaranteed" to make your tree fireproof!
I love meeting people seeking this out in person, because I can then ask them what exactly they think the actual "guarantee" is? And who they're going to chase after to collect whatever that is when this nasty soup kills their tree or the fumes make them sick.
Please forget these things—they don't work and they can be really dangerous. Trees don't just 'burst into flames'. They dry out because people don't water them—and no chemical is going to prevent that; most will likely accelerate it. Actual fires are caused by using lights with bad wiring and overloading extension cords and outlets. Soaking your poor tree's butt in 20 Mule Team Borax, Snapple, Pam and dissolved Twizzlers ain't gonna help when your wallboard starts burning. But I do have a REAL secret recipe: A mixture of three powerful ingredients, guaranteed—by me—to make your tree absolutely fireproof! Water, water, and water.
Water Number one:
When you get a cut live tree home, use a bow saw to remove an inch or two from the bottom of the stump and then sit that stumpy thing in a big bucket or tub of cool water—not in its stand yet— for at least 24 hours; preferably 48. And keep refilling that bucket! At least some of these trees will have suffered through droughts where they were grown, and will drink up a lot of water.
Water Number two:
After it's been able to drink all it wants, place it in its stand and never let that reservoir dry out. Check it several times a day, especially early on, when the warmth of the house will have it drinking heavily. Some of these trees will suck up gallons, and if that stump dries out for just one day, it loses the ability to take up more.
Water Number three:
Oh—that's for you. Drink a big glass and be happy you don't have a toxic waste lagoon under your Christmas tree.