Do you consider real Christmas trees a fire hazard?

[C.Ann]

I received a letter from a friend today in another state who lives in a gated HOA type community.. She was discussing the various Christmas trees she will be putting up in several of the rooms in her home and happened to mention that "real" Christmas trees are banned there because they're considered a fire hazard..

Anyone else life in a gated and/or HOA community where real Christmas trees are banned?

 

[landshark]

No, but for what it's worth, if MythBusters is anything to go by, they busted the whole "live Christmas trees are a fire hazard" thing--even with the giant light strings notorious for being the culprit.

 

[goofyernmost]

With todays "cool" bulbs there is nothing hot enough to catch fire unless you have a short in the wires and that would roast an artificial tree as well.

While I do miss the sweet pine smell in the house but at the same time I think it is awful to kill a tree to just hang a couple of lights on it for a few days. Seems like an assault on nature to me.

 

[kim929]

I love having a real christmas tree. I can't imagine not having a real one

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I live in a gated community with pretty tight HOA rules, and I have never heard of this, ever. As far as I know, my HOA has no control over anything inside my house, as long as it doesn't end up outside.

I don't even get it, unless it is a gated community of patio homes, or attached homes, why would the HOA care if you torched your own house? (I dont' really believe that Christmas trees cause fires if they are properly tended, BTW.)

They grow those trees on tree farms specifically for that reason. It's like a vegetable garden, and completely renewed when the time is right. It's not like they go out into the woods and cut down a hundred trees for a tree lot. The occasional private citizen may cut their own off their own property, but most of them are grown and trimmed for sales.

All that being said, I have had an artificial tree for about 20 years-the same one. A real tree the size of what we need (12 feet at least) would cost us about $150/year. So we have our PITA put-it-together-branch-by-branch tree and I can put it up whenever I want to.

 

[debster812]

Nope. Growing up all we ever had were real trees. And my dad was a firefighter, and "Johnny Safety" If he was OK with it, then I certainly think it's OK.

Of course, you have to use common sense. Keep it well watered. DON'T get your live tree the day after Thanksgiving so it's dry as a bone by Christmas from being inside, in the dry heat of your house. Etc, etc, etc.

Sadly, DS is highly allergic to real trees, so we have to have an artificial.

 

[C.Ann]

I live in a gated community with pretty tight HOA rules, and I have never heard of this, ever. As far as I know, my HOA has no control over anything inside my house, as long as it doesn't end up outside..

Don't you remember a few years ago there was a thread on here about an HOA that would not allow people to place their Christmas trees in front of a window - or anywhere else in their home where it could be seen from the outside?

There are some pretty wacky HOA rules out there.. LOL..

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Don't you remember a few years ago there was a thread on here about an HOA that would not allow people to place their Christmas trees in front of a window - or anywhere else in their home where it could be seen from the outside?

There are some pretty wacky HOA rules out there.. LOL..

Well THAT sounds like a LOVELY place to live. I think I missed that one and I'm glad, it would be hard to defend the concept of HOA's when they pull stuff like that.

 

[SaraJayne]

No, I don't consider a real Christmas tree a fire hazard.

I will only have real Christmas trees ~ nothing beats them.

 

[GeorgeG]

We're gated, but there are no restrictions on real trees. That said, I think the real trees smell nice, but make a mess when they lose needles, and they WILL lose needles no matter how well you take care of them.

In over forty years as a volunteer fireman, I can only recall two Christmas tree fires and both were real trees that had dried out. The source of ignition was probably shorted wiring. The new lights are pretty inexpensive and should be replaced every other year and inspected closely the second year. If you have pets that chew, keep a close eye on them and if there is any doubt, toss them. Keep all open flames and heat sources away from the tree (at least three feet, more is better). Fireplaces and wood stoves are of particular concern. They make for a nice seasonal combination, but proper precautions are a must. Once a dry tree catches, it goes up in a hurry.

 

[happygirl]

Not really

 

[wdwfan16]

A well watered one is pretty save. I once was at a cousin's house when I looked over and saw some needs giving off smoke. It was not a try tree but a bulb that got too hot. Had I not seen it the tree would have been on fire very soon.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I wish we could have a real tree, but DH would never. He convinced that a real tree gets sap everywhere. I try to explain to him that other people have real trees, and don't have this "sap issue" but he just wont listen. Anyone know of a nice pine scented spray??

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Not really unless you put it right next to the fireplace like my parents did (twice) and have it catch fire when Dad was messing with the fireplace and a spark escaped. (or so he says, I'm thinking a log rolled out and hit it just right.)

They learned after the 2nd time not to put the tree there. I would've thought they learned after the first time but, hey, it's my crazy parents. LOL

So anyway, back on track:
I think that's going too far. Another HOA out of control. How is the HOA gonna know? Would they have spies watching her drive thru with a live tree and unloading it? Or will they fine her after when they see her removing the tree?
I can see it now - the HOA setting up a live tree patrol, peeking in all the front windows looking for live trees, watching people drive in and out.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

no, just keep it watered and take the usual precautions.

our HOA is really relaxed, they are more concerned about what is outside the house. I can't see them passing anything even close to those rules.

 

[C.Ann]

I wish we could have a real tree, but DH would never. He convinced that a real tree gets sap everywhere. I try to explain to him that other people have real trees, and don't have this "sap issue" but he just wont listen. Anyone know of a nice pine scented spray??

If you want a pine scent with "staying power", go to your local craft store and buy the pine scented oil - which comes in a very small bottle.. Put some on a cotton ball or two and tuck it down in the base of your tree stand.. Replace as necessary..

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

OP, It sounds like your friend may have exggerated a caution letter from the HOA about holiday safety. I know our HOA sends out one about increased fire hazzard {real trees) and of course the pet hazzard of certain plants that could be bad for them if they ingested them, and so on.

(Unless you decorate with REAL candles!)

like other posters have said, the HOA really has no authority to "ban" what you have in your house legally.

 

[minkydog]

*I* don't worry about real Christmas trees being a fire hazard but my KIDS do. You know, the news stations always do that piece where the tree goes up in a great conflagration. They would rather have no tree at all than a real tree. So it's artificial for us. No reason to upset the kids on purpose, especially at Christmas. I go to the Christmas tree lot and buy up some branches which I place in small jars of water on my mantle and around my living/dining area.

 

[Darsa]

Note to self: Never live in an HOA community. I don't think I could handle people telling me what I can and can't do on MY property that I pay mortgage/taxes for!

That being said; we're in the country here, farms/fields/forests abound, and we get our own tree from the surrounding woods. (yes, our property) So far we've managed to have some pretty lovely ones, and there's no noticeable stripping that I can see. We lived in a manufactured home for many years and I was REALLY nervous about having a real tree then; I'm glad to be able to have my real trees back!

 

[Halbleib1]

Don't you remember a few years ago there was a thread on here about an HOA that would not allow people to place their Christmas trees in front of a window - or anywhere else in their home where it could be seen from the outside?

There are some pretty wacky HOA rules out there.. LOL..

We actually have a clause in our HOA contract saying that nothing is to be placed in your windows. I asked before we bought our home if this included decorations and was told no. Mainly they do not want signs placed in the windows. We have been here three years now and have had no issues with putting decorations up in our windows. Everyone does it. I think it is just there for their protection. In case someone puts something up that detracts from the value or look of the community than they can go to them and say it is against the rules without it being a legal issue. So I could see where some might have this be an issue in their community. You are right there are some really wacky rules out there. Thank goodness our HOA is not very strict at all. They just do not want people leaving junk all over their yards etc. Other than the window clause we do not have any other rules in regards to the inside of our home. So long as the outside looks good and follows the rules the inside can be a mess for all they care.

Never heard anything about not being allowed live trees though. Many of my neighbors have live trees so it is not a problem here. I could see where some insurance companies might not cover you if you have one though. Frayed wires are not the only hazard with live trees. When live trees dry out they become a fire hazard. The heat of some lights is enough to catch them on fire. Some people don't water them enough or they keep them for too long. Don't have that problem with a fake tree.