When Maine is covered in snow, few things feel more festive than the scent of fresh-cut evergreens. Whether it’s a Christmas tree, wreath, or garland, these decorations are a beloved part of our holiday tradition. But with dry indoor heat, keeping them fresh can be tricky.
To make your evergreens last, start by choosing the freshest cuts you can find—look for vibrant color and flexible needles. Once home, give them a good drink by placing stems in water or misting regularly.
Keep them away from heat sources like radiators and sunny windows. With a little care, your greenery will stay lush and fragrant well into the New Year. It’s a simple way to keep the magic of Maine’s winter woods alive inside your home.
1. Fresh Cut Makes All The Difference
My grandfather taught me this trick years ago – always make a fresh cut before bringing evergreens inside. When trees and boughs are first cut, sap quickly seals the end, preventing water absorption.
Slice about an inch off the trunk of your Christmas tree or the ends of bough stems just before placing in water. I use a sharp saw for clean cuts rather than scissors which can crush the wood fibers.
For smaller decorative branches like balsam fir or cedar, cutting at an angle increases the surface area for water uptake, something I’ve found particularly helpful with Maine’s native spruces.
2. Water Is Your Evergreen’s Best Friend
Maine’s heated homes can quickly dry out evergreens. A six-foot tree might drink a gallon of water in its first 24 hours indoors! Check the water level daily – I learned this lesson the hard way after letting my first tree run dry.
For wreaths and garlands, mist them with cool water every morning. This simple habit has extended the life of my decorations by weeks. Adding a spray bottle to my morning routine takes just seconds but makes a noticeable difference.
Soaking smaller arrangements in the bathtub overnight before displaying them gives them a good moisture reserve to start with.
3. Location Matters For Longevity
Keep evergreens away from heat sources! Last year, I placed a beautiful pine garland above my woodstove – it was brown within days. Radiators, heating vents, sunny windows, and even television sets emit heat that speeds up drying.
The coolest spot in your room will help evergreens last longer. In my Maine farmhouse, I’ve found the north-facing rooms maintain decorations best. The natural chill helps preserve the needles and fragrance.
Consider moving special arrangements outdoors at night if temperatures aren’t too extreme. The natural cold and humidity on our Maine porches works wonders for refreshing tired greenery.
4. Anti-Drying Treatments That Actually Work
Commercial anti-transpirants create a protective coating that helps evergreens retain moisture. I spray mine before bringing them inside, and the difference is remarkable compared to untreated branches.
No commercial spray? Make your own by mixing one part light corn syrup with two parts hot water. Once cooled, dip or spray your greenery. The sticky solution helps seal in moisture without damaging the needles.
Another Maine forester taught me to soak boughs in a bathtub with glycerin (one part glycerin to ten parts water) for 24 hours before crafting wreaths. The glycerin replaces natural moisture and preserves flexibility.
5. Choosing Naturally Long-Lasting Species
Not all evergreens are created equal when it comes to indoor longevity. Maine’s native balsam fir tends to hold its needles better than white pine in my experience. The wonderful fragrance is just a bonus!
Cedar and juniper branches last remarkably well indoors and maintain their color longer than most other options. I’ve had juniper sprigs stay green for over a month in dry indoor conditions.
For wreaths that need to last the entire season, northern white cedar (arborvitae) has proven most reliable in my Maine home. The flat, scale-like needles dry attractively without dropping, maintaining their shape and subtle fragrance through January.