If you’ve followed all the care tips (keep it out of sun and wind, as well
as making a fresh cut off the base before setting it up indoors) there are
a couple of things to consider. First, if you cut your own tree at a choose
and cut farm, it will not absorb water right away since it has not had time
to begin drying out. Second, the best indicator of dryness is the tree itself,
not the water level in the stand.
What if I forgot to make a fresh cut off the base of the tree before setting
it up?
Within 4 to 6 hours of exposure, the tree will form a sap seal over the
stump and it will not absorb water. If this happens, you can really only do
2 things: either take all decorations off and the tree out of the stand and
make a fresh cut, or drill holes into the trunk ˝ in. deep , ˝ in. apart.
This might allow the tree to start absorbing water. But once this is done,
be sure to keep the water level above the holes.
What kind of cut should I make?
Although some people make angled cuts thinking it helps the tree absorb
more water, this is not true. A thin, (1/4 in.) horizontal cut is best for
stability.
Should I be concerned about bugs being in a tree?
In most climates, bugs are dormant long before December. There are a few
instances where insects can be cocooned on the tree and the warm temperature
in a house will bring them out. However, this is very rare. Thumping the tree
on the ground before bringing it into the home will alleviate most potential
problems while also eliminating dead needles.