I am here to report on our live tree experiment. We really loved the look and smell our our tree for about the first week. After that, the tree stopped drinking water and began to smell like over-ripe vegetables. Over the next two weeks, the tree got progressively harder and deader. Still green, but the limbs started drooping with the weight of the ornaments. We took our tree down and put it outside before we left for Christmas and just took it to the dump today, where Jesse threw our tree into the huge pile:
Disposing of it was pretty easy, and Jesse wants to give the live tree thing another go next year. I am less excited, but could be convinced (I am quite a push-over when Jesse gets excited about something).
Oh no! Did you cut it yourself or buy from a lot? How disappointing. Funny story: Michael grew up never having a real tree--his dad said they were a fire hazard. So when he moved here he thought it was hilarious that the tree lots advertised that their trees were from Oregon. Where he grew up. :)
ReplyDeleteToo funny. We did buy a pre-cut tree, which could have been the problem (who knows how long ago it was cut). Now Jesse's going to make me wield a saw next year!
ReplyDeletePrecut or harvested yourselves: saw a few inches off immediately before you place the tree in the stand. Rather than just water in the stand, try 7-Up (not diet). Also, there are lots of preparations (we use Prolong) that will help the tree stay fresher. Taking the tree out of the house before you left for any length of travel was a GOOD thing to do, regardless of the freshness of the tree. Go nature; boo aluminum!
ReplyDeletetoo sad that your first experience was not a good one. Hopefully you will have better luck if you try again this year! We loved our real trees (except for the mess!)
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