Christmas tree safety

Many people will be putting up Christmas trees soon; others, those with artificial trees may already have done so. I have no opinion on which is right.

Cut Christmas trees are agricultural crops, particularly here in Pennsylvania. The trees are planted and then harvested about five to eight years later; a new crop planted each year to replace the one harvested so it isn’t some annual massive deforestation. These trees should be kept watered and removed when the needles turn brittle and start to drop, about a week or so.

Live trees are another option. These trees require a little preparation, an area to plant them and have a substantially reduced display time indoors. If you choose this option:

in a cool area like an unheated

Store the tree

garage.

a container large enough to hold the root ball and water during its indoor stay.

Make sure you have

to about a week. Indoor temperatures and low humidity are not good for live trees.

Keep the display time Keep the tree watered

and, if possible use