MORGANTOWN, W.Va. โ While the ease and convenience of an artificial Christmas tree has genuine appeal, a West Virginia University professor and forest resource specialist is making the case for the authentic look and smell of a fresh-cut tree.
Purchasing live trees from local sources puts a maximum amount of money back into the local economy, and tree farms sustain jobs year-round.
Though Dave McGill says a fresh-cut tree requires more attention and care, a few simple precautions can keep it in good shape into January.
โOnce you get the tree home, slice the trunk againโjust to make sure itโs a fresh cut. Stand it up in your stand, and make sure itโs stable. You also want to make sure you water it every dayโthatโs the critical thing," McGill said.
It's also essential to find an ideal placement for the tree away from heat sources.
โAnother thing about tree safety is where you position it in the first place. You donโt want to put it by heaters or too close to a fire source or an open flameโlike a stove or an open fireplaceโso that it doesnโt dry out and become a fire hazard."
McGill says it's equally important to ensure the decorations don't present hazards as well.
โWhen decorating the tree, thatโs a good time to think about safety because youโre going to put electrical lights on it. If your lights donโt seem to be working properly, donโt use them.โ
Of course, buying a live tree from an in-state Christmas tree farm helps support the local economy in ways that the purchase of a store-bought artificial tree cannot.
Hannah Booth, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications for the WVU Extension Service, contributed to this article.
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