It wasn’t easy, but you’ve picked the perfect tree for Christmas. Now, the challenge is to keep it fresh and beautiful throughout the holiday season. Doing that, however, is easier said than done. Some people use preservatives to keep their trees fresh. Preservatives have their pros and cons. Knowing those can help you make an informed decision about using Christmas tree preservatives.

Below, we discuss the pros and cons of using preservatives to keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful. We also provide seven additional tips on how to do that over the holiday season, emphasizing the significance of proper care in maintaining the beauty of your tree.
Tree preservatives have several pros for keeping your tree fresh:
• Reduced needle drop: By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi in the tree stand water, preservatives can help prevent needle loss, keeping your tree looking fuller and greener longer.
• Improved water uptake: Some preservatives can help the tree absorb water more efficiently by lowering the water’s surface tension. This step helps ensure the tree stays hydrated and prevents it from drying out prematurely.
• Longer lifespan: Preservatives can help extend the overall life of your Christmas tree by combining the benefits of reduced needle drop and improved water uptake, allowing you to enjoy its festive presence for a longer period.
There’s no guarantee, for example, that preservatives will significantly extend the life of your tree, and they can add an extra cost to your Christmas tree budget. Also, some preservatives contain chemicals that could hurt the environment, which can be harmful if ingested by children or pets.
These chemicals can also leach into the soil and water, affecting local ecosystems. To mitigate this, always follow the instructions on the product label carefully and consider using eco-friendly alternatives. Some ingredients may cause skin irritation and harm the environment. So, check the label instructions on using the product.
Popular Christmas Tree Preservatives
Some popular tree preservatives include Miracle-Gro Christmas Tree Food, Pursell’s Christmas Tree Preservative, Bonide Christmas Tree Preservative, and EZ Gardener Christmas Tree Preservative. You can also use home remedies like aspirin or sugar as tree preservatives. Home remedies’ effectiveness can vary, but they’re among the safest approaches to keeping your tree fresh.
How effective are preservatives? Some studies on their effectiveness show mixed results. Some indicate that preservatives can slightly reduce needle drop and help the tree retain moisture. Others show minimal or no significant difference in needle retention between trees treated with preservatives and those without. When choosing a preservative, some factors include tree species, preservative type, and proper care.

Below, we discuss the pros and cons of using preservatives to keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful. We also provide seven additional tips on how to do that over the holiday season, emphasizing the significance of proper care in maintaining the beauty of your tree.

Tree preservatives have several pros for keeping your tree fresh:

• Reduced needle drop: By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi in the tree stand water, preservatives can help prevent needle loss, keeping your tree looking fuller and greener longer.
• Improved water uptake: Some preservatives can help the tree absorb water more efficiently by lowering the water’s surface tension. This step helps ensure the tree stays hydrated and prevents it from drying out prematurely.
• Longer lifespan: Preservatives can help extend the overall life of your Christmas tree by combining the benefits of reduced needle drop and improved water uptake, allowing you to enjoy its festive presence for a longer period.

There’s no guarantee, for example, that preservatives will significantly extend the life of your tree, and they can add an extra cost to your Christmas tree budget. Also, some preservatives contain chemicals that could hurt the environment, which can be harmful if ingested by children or pets.

These chemicals can also leach into the soil and water, affecting local ecosystems. To mitigate this, always follow the instructions on the product label carefully and consider using eco-friendly alternatives. Some ingredients may cause skin irritation and harm the environment. So, check the label instructions on using the product.

Popular Christmas Tree Preservatives

Some popular tree preservatives include Miracle-Gro Christmas Tree Food, Pursell’s Christmas Tree Preservative, Bonide Christmas Tree Preservative, and EZ Gardener Christmas Tree Preservative. You can also use home remedies like aspirin or sugar as tree preservatives. Home remedies’ effectiveness can vary, but they’re among the safest approaches to keeping your tree fresh.

How effective are preservatives? Some studies on their effectiveness show mixed results. Some indicate that preservatives can slightly reduce needle drop and help the tree retain moisture. Others show minimal or no significant difference in needle retention between trees treated with preservatives and those without. When choosing a preservative, some factors include tree species, preservative type, and proper care.

Additional Tips on Keeping Your Tree Fresh

While preservatives may offer some benefits, they’re not a silver bullet. They won’t keep your tree fresh all by themselves. Here are seven other things you can do to keep your Christmas tree fresh:

1. Make a fresh cut: Before placing the tree in the stand, cut off about an inch from the base of the trunk. This step removes sap that has sealed off the pores, allowing the tree to absorb water more effectively.
2. Water immediately & regularly: Fill the stand with water when you bring the tree home. Check the water level daily and refill it as needed. Never let the water level drop below the base of the trunk.
3. Avoid heat sources: Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents. Direct sunlight can also dry out the tree.
4. Choose the right stand: Select a sturdy tree stand that can hold plenty of water. The stand should be large enough to accommodate the tree’s base and deep enough to hold at least 1 gallon of water for every inch of trunk diameter. Look for stands with a wide base for stability and a large water reservoir to reduce the frequency of refilling.
5. Increase humidity: Use a room humidifier to increase the moisture in the air, which can help prevent the tree from drying out.
6. Reduce stress: Avoid over-handling the tree. Gently guide branches into position and minimize bending and breaking.
7. Turn off lights: Turn off Christmas tree lights when you leave the house or go to bed to reduce heat stress on the tree.

These tips can help you keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful throughout the holiday. When the holidays are over, recycle your tree at a designated drop-off location. Many communities offer free tree recycling programs. Contact RI Tree if you have additional questions about keeping your tree fresh or recycling it.

There’s nothing like a real Christmas tree. Buying and decorating a real tree is a cherished holiday tradition passed down through generations for many families. Real Christmas trees emit a delightful pine scent that fills your home with the classic holiday aroma, adding to the holiday spirit. For those who had a real tree every year growing up, the sight and smell of one evokes nostalgia and great memories. Buying a real Christmas tree also supports local businesses and farmers, contributing to the local economy.

But for environmentally conscious people, choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree is an option. For many people, making eco-friendly choices aligns with their values and beliefs. Eco-friendly trees offer numerous benefits, including reducing carbon emissions and your carbon footprint, conserving natural resources, and protecting wildlife habitats. Put another way, choosing an eco-friendly tree is a way to celebrate the holiday season responsibly and contribute to a more sustainable future.  

Here are six eco-friendly options for this Christmas season:

1. Live Potted Trees: Choose a small, potted tree that you can plant outdoors after the holidays. This sustainable option adds greenery to your home and supports local nurseries.
2. Artificial Trees: A high-quality artificial tree can be reused for many years, reducing waste from disposable trees. Look for trees made from recycled materials or eco-friendly plastics.
3. Recycled Trees: Some companies offer Christmas trees made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or cardboard. These trees are a unique and sustainable option.
4. Rented Trees: Renting a real Christmas tree is a great way to enjoy the beauty of a natural tree without contributing to deforestation. After the holidays, the tree is returned to the farm to be replanted.
5. Houseplants: Decorate a small houseplant, such as a Norfolk Island pine or a rosemary bush, with lights and ornaments for a festive, sustainable centerpiece.
6. Minimalist Trees: To reduce your environmental impact, look for a smaller tree or a tree with fewer decorations. Focus on quality over quantity and choose sustainable decorations.

Many eco-friendly options, like live trees and recycled artificial trees, can be easily recycled or composted. In some communities, recycling programs for real Christmas trees often support community projects and charities.

Tips on Picking a Real Christmas Tree

For those of you who must have a real Christmas Tree, we’ve provided nine tips on buying one. Keep the following tips in mind, and you’ll come home with the best tree for you and your family:

1. Measure the space first. Before going shopping, measure the area where you will put the tree. That way, you won’t buy a tree that’s too big or too small.
2. Look for a fresh tree. You want a tree with fresh green needles firmly attached to the tree and has a pleasant piney smell.
3. Shake the tree. If too many needles fall off, the tree is too dry to buy.
4. Bend the branches. They should be flexible yet firm. The branches shouldn’t snap easily, either.
5. Look for a tree with a strong central leader. It’s the main vertical branch that runs up the tree’s center. You want it to be straight and strong.
6. Inspect the trunk for damage. The trunk should be straight and free of cracks and splits.
7. Cut the bottom of the tree. Ask the salesperson to cut the bottom of the tree before you leave. Cutting the bottom helps the tree take up water.
8. Place the tree in a stand filled with water. Keep the water level constant while you have the tree, and check it daily.
9. Place the tree in a safe location. Keep it away from heat sources in your house, like fireplaces and radiators, to prevent it from drying out too soon.

Keep these tips in mind when buying your Christmas tree. They’ll help you find the perfect tree for you. Ultimately, the best tree is the one that you like the best.

Top Christmas Tree Farms

For places to buy a freshly cut Christmas tree, check out the Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association (RICTGA). It is an association of growers and retailers interested in promoting the Christmas Tree Industry. It lists Christmas tree growers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

You can also visit retail stores like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target. They also sell Christmas trees and carry a wide selection of artificial ones in various sizes and styles, making them a convenient option for those who prefer a prelit or hassle-free tree.

Enjoy the holidays!

By: John Campanini, Technical Director, RITree

Fungal diseases pose significant threats to trees (and plants). These diseases can damage trees, ranging from slight blemishes to complete tree death. Woody decay, for example, the most common impact of fungal diseases in trees, weakens tree structure and reduces stability. Fungal diseases also cause cankers, leaf diseases, and root rot in trees and plants. Factors affecting the impact of fungal diseases include tree and plant health, environmental conditions, and type of fungal species.

Fungal diseases contribute greatly to tree mortality in forests and urban landscapes. Hot, humid weather helps generate these diseases. Different fungal species have varying levels of aggressiveness and target specific parts of a tree, so each fungal disease must be treated differently. Pruning infected branches or removing infected leaves can help contain the spread but eliminating these diseases completely is still a challenge.

Fungal Diseases Emerging Locally

A rash of fungal diseases caused by wet spring and recent high humidity is now appearing in our area. Monitor vulnerable plants for the following disease symptoms:  

• Flowering Dogwood Anthracnose and Powdery Mildew—Disease symptoms appear as purple to brown circular spots on leaves, the latter as a white coating over leaves. Treat with fungicide for best results. See photo below.

• Prunus, Malus, and Crataegus species— Fire blight on these plants results in sudden wilting, browning, and the death of leaves and shoots caused by a bacterium. There’s no cure for this fungus. Remove and dispose of dead plant parts. See photo below.

• Needle Blight on Spruce—Discoloring (yellow to tan to brown) and dropping of needles. Symptoms start at the bottom of a tree and proceed upwards. Drought stress is a major disease causal factor. See photo below.

Other fungal diseases popular in this region are Dutch Elm disease, Cedar Apple Rust, Apple Scab, Anthracnose, and Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. Treatment measures for fungal diseases include fungicides (as a last resort), cultural controls depending on tree species and plants, and biological controls like other fungi and bacteria.

Steps to Eliminating Fungal Diseases
Prevention is the best way to eliminate fungal diseases. So, choose plant and tree varieties known to be resistant to common fungal diseases in your region. These include Eastern Redbud, Serviceberry, Inkberry, American Holly, Red oak, Black Gum, and Sugar Maple. However, even these plants can contract fungal disease under the right conditions. Stress factors like drought, nutrient deficiencies, or insect damage can weaken plants and make them more vulnerable to fungal infections.
Below are some additional measures to help prevent fungal diseases from attacking your plants.
• Use proper planting techniques: Spacing is critical for fungal diseases. It allows for good air circulation and prevents overcrowding, which can favor fungal growth by creating
• a humid environment. Also, plant trees in suitable locations with appropriate sun and drainage.
• Watering practices: Water deeply and infrequently, aiming for the base of the plant or tree rather than overhead watering. This approach reduces moisture on leaves and stems while discouraging fungal growth.
• Mulching: This is a highly effective countermeasure for preventing fungal diseases. Spreading a layer of mulch around the base of your plants and trees will help you retain moisture in the soil, which is critical. Mulch also prevents excessive dampness near the stem, creating a less hospitable environment for fungi. Use a “breathable” mulch like shredded bark or wood chips as a medium for best results.
• Sanitation is key in preventing the spread of fungal diseases. Remove and dispose of diseased plant material promptly. Don’t compost diseased plant parts, as this can spread the spores. Also, clean and disinfect pruning tools regularly to prevent the spreading of fungal diseases between plants.
• Promote plant health: Ensure your plants and trees are healthy by giving them the nutrients they need through balanced fertilization. Healthy plants are more resilient and better able to resist fungal infections.
By following the steps provided above, you can create a healthier and more hospitable environment for your plants and trees.

Lessening the Impact of Fungal Diseases

Fungal diseases pose a real threat to trees and plants. They’re also a challenge to eliminate. Early detection also helps. By learning about fungal diseases, taking the proper countermeasures, and treating the diseases when they first appear, you can significantly lessen the impact of fungi on your trees and plants. Also, report suspicious symptoms you see to local authorities. If you need more help dealing with fungal diseases, talk with the experts at RI Tree. We’ll help you develop a strategy that works for you.

Testing your soil is a critical step before planting a tree. Testing your soil identifies nutrient deficiencies. Knowing what nutrients your soil lacks helps you choose the right fertilizer to give your tree a healthy start. You also test the soil to check its pH level. Most trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6-7). If the pH is too high (alkaline) or too low (acidic), it can prevent trees from absorbing nutrients.

A third reason to test your soil is to avoid wasting resources. By understanding your soil’s baseline, you can avoid applying unnecessary fertilizers or amendments. Testing helps you target exactly what your soil needs, avoiding over-application and potential environmental harm from fertilizer runoff. For fruit trees, proper soil nutrients impact the quantity and quality of fruit produced, and a soil test can help you optimize your soil for a bountiful harvest.

Best Time to Test Your Soil
The best time to test your soil is a few weeks before planting. That allows you time to amend the soil if needed, based on the test results. You can test the soil yourself using a home testing kit, which is readily available at garden centers and big box stores. This method will give you a basic analysis of pH and nutrient levels. Convenience is a key benefit of testing the soil yourself. Self-testing also creates a good entry point for those new gardeners to learn more about soil and plant needs.

For a more precise analysis, consider sending your sample to a professional soil testing lab. Local extension offices can often provide recommendations on labs. In Rhode Island, you can test your soil at the University of Rhode Island’s Cooperative Extension, College of the Environmental and Life Sciences. Below is more information on how to do that. (If you’re not from Rhode Island, you can find a state-by-state list of soil testing labs on this website.)

Several private companies offer soil testing services. These labs may offer a wider range of tests or faster turnaround times than university labs.
Here are a couple examples:
• New England Testing Laboratory (https://www.newenglandtesting.com/Privacy.php) in West Warwick, RI.
• New England Specialty Soils Screening Facility (https://www.nesoils.com/) in Lancaster, MA.
Consider factors like the type of test you need, turnaround time, and cost when choosing a testing service.
Soil Testing in Rhode Island

The URI lab offers many free and low-cost informational and diagnostic services to Rhode Island citizens. Its Master Gardeners conduct free soil pH testing for the residents of Rhode Island and surrounding areas from March through October. These tests will help determine soil pH levels and predominant soil texture. It also provides basic information and recommendations for the gradual correction of soil pH and compaction issues.

You have two ways to get your soil tested with this program. You can attend a community event where URI’s Gardening Information and Soil Testing booth will be. See the 2024 schedule here. Or, you can mail-in your sample with a Soil Test Result Report Form. Print the form, complete it, and send it along with your sample to URI Cooperative Extension, 3 East Alumni Ave, Kingston, RI 02881. Please include ‘Attn: Soil Test’ on the envelope.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what’s involved in testing your soil for planting trees. Keep in mind that preparation is critical to getting a good sample for testing:

1. Gather your tools—You’ll need a clean trowel or spade, a bucket, and a permanent marker. Consider wearing gloves for ease of handling soil. Use a stainless steel or chrome-plated soil probe. Brass, bronze, or galvanized tools can contaminate samples with copper and/or zinc.
2. Choose the testing method—Decide whether you’ll use a home test kit (faster but less accurate) or send a sample to a lab (more precise but takes longer).
3. Target planting area—Collect samples from the area where you plan to plant your tree.
4. Sample depth—Aim for 6-12 inches deep, where tree roots will establish. (If you’re testing soil for lawns, go 3 inches down.)
5. Multiple samples—Take 10-15 samples in a zig-zag pattern to get a good representation of the area. Avoid areas with obvious signs of contamination or recent fertilization.
6. Mix it up—In your clean bucket, combine all the collected soil samples and mix them thoroughly. Remove any large rocks or other non-soil particles from the soil.
7. Sample amount—Depending on your chosen testing method, take the recommended amount of the composite sample (usually 1-2 cups) for testing. Label the container with your name, collection date, and intended planting area.
   Additional Tips:
   • A soil probe or auger is the best tool for sampling, especially if the soil is very stony or gravel.
   • If a soil probe or auger is not available, use a garden trowel, shovel, or spade to dig into the desired depth of the soil depth.
   • Cut out a triangular wedge of soil. Then, set it aside (to be replaced after sampling). Slide your blade into the soil again, taking a thin (half-inch) slice from one side of the hole.
   • Store your labeled soil sample in a cool, dry place until testing.
   • Some labs offer online tools to help interpret your soil test results and recommend amendments if you’re using the self-test approach.
   • If you’re submitting your sample to a soil testing lab, you’ll need a soil sample information sheet and a soil sample box. Both are available from the extension office in your county or city.
   By following these steps, you can gain valuable insights into your soil’s condition and ensure your new tree has the best chance of thriving. All the tools mentioned in this article are available online. If you need help taking a soil sample, contact RI Tree. Our experts can guide your through the process.