Local expert offers tree tips for the holidays

By Kyle Schmidt

A live tree brings a festive feeling to your home, but safety must be kept in mind.

Corey Schweizer, CEO of Schweizer Orchards, points out some of the hazards to watch out for.

Once the tree is cut, it is important to place it in water.

“All I want to put in there is water. Some well water and stuff can get a little funky smell in once in a while,” Schweizer said. “If that happens, a tablespoon of bleach or something but none of the snake oils, fertilizers, things like that, just normal water.”

And keep that water full, he said.

“The biggest safety is don’t ever let it get dry,” Schweizer said. “Don’t ever let the water go below the base of that trunk because it’ll seal back over again.”

If the tree is sealed back over, take it down, recut the trunk and place it back in water again. 

Keeping the tree away from fire hazards is another thing to be mindful of. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 160 home fires a year start with Christmas trees.

Pets also can be a problem around trees, so it’s best to keep them at a distance.

“There shouldn’t be too much in there that would actually hurt the pet itself but there is going to be some pine sap and things like that,” Schweizer said. “Just keeping your pet away would be the best idea.”

As for picking out the tree, he suggests knowing the height of your ceiling and leaving at least an extra foot for the tree. For an 8-foot ceiling, a 7-foot tree would be perfect. 

“We have been way bigger on the bigger trees. A lot of cathedral homes, things like that,” Schweizer said. “We’ve had a lot of big sales on some really big-sized trees this year. Your standard is going to be your 7- to 8-foot tree.”