Does your Christmas tree shed needles at the mere passing of a footstep? Do the branches seem brittle and the lights run a bit too hot? You may be asking yourself if that fine holiday centerpiece has turned into a hazard in the living room.
It is well worth asking, and the answers are of more import than you might think. Image Tree Pros (Image Tree Service) has been tending to trees in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties since 1990. For any matter of tree safety or disposal, give us a ring at (707) 394-9078.
There is no denying a fresh, watered tree is a welcome sight for the season. A dry one is another matter entirely. We put forward why a drying tree should have your attention and how to handle it after the festivities.
The Case for Why a Dry Tree Is a Fire Hazard
While alive, a tree is full of moisture. But once cut and set inside, that water starts to evaporate, and the heated air of the house only hastens it. In a matter of weeks what was a fragrant green tree is reduced to dry wood and needles.
Evergreen material in that state is quick to burn. With the water gone, the oils and resins in pine, fir and spruce are very flammable. It takes seconds, not minutes, for a small spark to become a fire on a dry tree. Put it near a source of heat and the danger is compounded.
Some of the usual culprits that will light a dry tree are:
- String lights with bad wiring
- Extension cords and outlets pushed beyond capacity
- Candles left too near the boughs
- Proximity to a fireplace or wood stove
- Space heaters
- Warm air from a vent
People in Northern California know from experience how fast a wildfire can go. The same holds true in the home; an ignition source and dry fuel do not mix.
How to Know When Your Tree Has Had Its Day
No special equipment is required. These telltale signs will let you know:
- Needles come off with a touch of the hand
- Branches are stiff and break instead of bending
- The stand is not drawing up any water
- The deep green has given way to a dull gray-green
- The pine smell is all but gone
Should you see a number of these, put the tree down and be done with it. There is no need to wait for the calendar to turn.
Disposing of the Tree Safely
When the tree is down, do not prop it against the side of the house or garage. Outdoors it remains a fire risk in dry weather. Better to do one of the following:
- See if your city has a curbside pickup or recycling for trees
- Take it to a municipal site for mulching or green waste
- Have it chipped for the garden
- Break it up for yard waste
- Arrange for a professional to remove it if it is unwieldy
Under no circumstances should a Christmas tree be put in the fireplace or wood stove. The resins will build up creosote in the chimney and cause flare-ups. Nor should a dried tree be left in a brush pile on your land to feed a passing wildfire.
Be Proactive About Fire Safety
The care you take with a Christmas tree should be applied to the brush and trees on your property all year. Clearing defensible space and doing some fire abatement goes a long way to protect the home when fire season comes. Any overgrown limbs or dead vegetation close to the structure is an added risk.
We are TCIA Accredited and hold CSLB license #719689. Our staff are ISA Certified Arborists and Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals with the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification to boot. We have put our name on over 7,500 projects. Our office is open 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and we have 24/7 emergency services for when you need us.
For a free estimate or some advice on tree removal and fire prevention clearance, call Image Tree Pros at (707) 394-9078. We are happy to put our expertise to work for homeowners, HOAs and businesses in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin.