Picture this: you open your Artificial Christmas tree next Christmas season and…surprise!…you discover some not so great things inside. Maybe there are broken bulbs galore, or evergreen needles all off-color, or branches bent askew.
What could possibly be the culprit? Often times, it’s improper storage.
Storing your Christmas tree incorrectly can lead to tree or light damage, discoloration, or more.
Luckily, it’s easy to store your Artificial Christmas tree the right way. Just follow these 5 steps and rest easy as your tree hibernates safety until next Christmas season.
Step 1
Plan to use a Storage Bag
One of the biggest mistakes many make when putting away their Christmas tree, is putting it back in the cardboard box it came in. There are 2 main reasons why this is not what’s best for your tree:
(1) It is very difficult to get your tree back in the box it came in. It’ll be a very tight fit and shoving often leads to damaging branches or lights.
(2) Cardboard is flimsy and disintegrates. It will not protect from environmental factors, like moisture, pests, temperature changes, and dust.
The best way to store your Christmas tree is in a storage bag. It’ll protect from moisture, pests and more. Plus, it’ll be large enough to fit your tree without you having to force it in and cause possible damage.
Ask your Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans Tree Expert which tree storage bag they recommend for your Artificial Tree purchase.
Step 2
Inspect the lights
All your decorations are removed and now is the time to get storing your Christmas tree…but, wait!
Now that your tree is not covered in decorations, it’s one of the best times to scan your tree and spot any light issues, such as burned out bulbs.
Replacing burned out bulbs is very important in maintaining the overall health of your tree’s lights. When bulbs burn out, the rest of the bulbs suck up all that extra energy and have to work harder. Due to this, they will burn out more quickly and easily as well.
If you spot some of burned out bulbs before storing your tree, go ahead and replace them now.
You may discover that you have full sections or strands that are burned out and are unsure how to get them back on.
With the Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans 3-year Light Warranty, your PG & JA Tree Experts will fix lighting issues for you. Just bring in the section of the tree that is out, and they’ll troubleshoot it for you and find the solution.
Replacing burned out bulbs or finding and fixing any light issues before you store your tree will save you precious time next Christmas season.
Step 3
Dissemble
Next, you’re going to dissemble the tree (most come in 3 sections). Starting with the top and moving down from there.
If you tree is prelit, make sure to unplug each section from each other before you start pulling the sections apart to avoid damaging any plugs or cords.
It’s also good practice to unplug your tree and let the lights settle and cool off for about 20-30 minutes moving on to the next storing steps.
Step 4
Fold Up the Branches
Now, it’s time to fold up the branches. Simply do the opposite of when you were shaping your tree at the start of the season. Instead of pulling the branches out, fold them down.
If you are storing your tree in a way where it is going to be a tight fit, you’ll want to spend more time folding down each branch and really compacting your tree.
If your storing your tree in a roomier container (like a storage bag, which we recommend), you can just quickly fold up the branches and spend less time on this step.
Step 5
Pick Your Storage Location
The best place to store your tree is in a dry, clean and temperature-controlled location. This is why a basement or a closet is a better place to store your tree than in an attic or in a garage, assuming your basement remains dry.
You want to avoid sunlight (which can cause discoloration), moisture (which can cause damage to your lights) and temperature fluctuations (which can cause discoloration, especially to white or flocked trees). You also want to avoid dust and pests to keep your tree looking it’s best.
It’s best to store your tree horizontally, in an area where it will not get piled upon or knocked over, such as up against a wall.
You can store your tree vertically, but if you do, it’s best to have it in its designated stand so it will not be easily knocked over. Vertically storage bags are also available at Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans if you prefer to store your tree upright.
Watch Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans Tree Expert Jill Explain Proper Tree Storage below!
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