1. Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
   
   
2. Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree. Our Tyler’s Trees delivery teams make a fresh cut before bringing inside your home or business!
   
   
3. Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don't bruise the cut surface or get it will get dirty.
   
   
4. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand. Our Tyler’s Trees elves will provide a stand that perfectly fits your size tree.  
   
   
5. If your tree is not drinking water upon installation, we recommend pouring hot (not boiling) water in the stand as this can help break up sap deposits in the trunk which may be preventing the tree from adequately drinking. When the trees go from being outside in the cold winter air to heated homes it is often a shock to their systems. If your tree does not begin drinking immediately, don’t panic.  Oftentimes, it takes 24-48hrs for them to adjust to their new environment before they begin to drink.
   
   
6. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does NOT improve water uptake.
   
   
7. Keep trees away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
   
   
8. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
   
   
9. Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.
   
   
10. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.  Be sure not overload electrical circuits and always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.