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In my 20 & 1/2 years on this earth, with nearly all of them involving a train running around a live tree, I've NEVER had an issue with sap. The only sap I touch is when I grab the trunk of the tree to move it in/out of the house at the beginning/end of the season but I generally put on some work gloves to do that. 

 

Needles become a bit of an issue as time goes on, and having 2 dogs, puts some dog hair on the tracks, trains, and layout. With a VERY simple layout that can really be disassembled and reassembled in about 30 minutes, just about every other day I take the entire thing (scenery, trains, track) up, thoroughly vacuum, clean everything, and put it all back together and we are set. 

Might depend on the type of tree to some extent.

 

I recall having issues with sap to some extent growing up (we normally bought Balsam firs), but I have not had any to the extent where it drips since being out on my own (but I have also had a Frasier fir most years).  I've seen sap on some trees to the extent where it does ooze a little from the branch tips, but it's not always prevalent, and it's more of an issue with getting it on arm hairs and clothing while doing the tree than worrying about it dripping down by itself later.

 

Out of just being cautious, I try not to park trains directly under branches, and for my outer loop, the track probably doesn't even go under any branches.

 

-Dave

OK.  I have only had a couple of trees where we actually cut them down ourselves.  Sap did weep then but it wasn't an issue because the only thing under the tree were the wrapped presents and the tree skirt.  I don't remember whether things came out in the wash or not.

 

I am hearing that either the stuff won't likely be a problem or will clean up with isopropyl alcohol.  Will that hurt the plastic or paint on trains?  I assume ceramic buildings aren't likely to be an issue.

Originally Posted by Gandalf97:

OK.  I have only had a couple of trees where we actually cut them down ourselves.  Sap did weep then but it wasn't an issue because the only thing under the tree were the wrapped presents and the tree skirt.  I don't remember whether things came out in the wash or not.

 

I am hearing that either the stuff won't likely be a problem or will clean up with isopropyl alcohol.  Will that hurt the plastic or paint on trains?  I assume ceramic buildings aren't likely to be an issue.

Isopropyl definitely can take paint off of trains.  I was experimenting (read that as I was learning that I really don't have the proper skills ) with trying to take the lettering off of a caboose to possibly re-letter it, and Iso took off the letters and also the paint, and probably softened the plastic a bit too  (no warping, but I definitely think I "smoothed" some of the wood grain that was originally molded to the body). 

 

My experiment may have been biased in that I was specifically trying to get the lettering off, so I did not do a bunch of smaller swipes with the ISO to see what would happen.  It's possible it might dissolve sap before paint.

 

I only mention this because if you did get sap on something, using something like ISO could make it worse.

Last edited by Dave45681

If you are going to put up a cut tree the sap can be a problem for hands and clothing but as far as the trains go we never had a problem with it.

But, water can be an issue. Don't forget to cut the base of your trunk off about three inches. The tree lot will do this for you but make sure when you chose the tree you factor in height off the floor for your trains. This 3 in cut off will help keep your tree fresh through the week or two that it is up.

Water the tree every day, it should drink alot of water the first day or so, but check it every day.

Oh yea, electric trains hate water so be careful.

 

Have fun and a very happy and safe Holiday season.

Originally Posted by gg1man:

If you are going to put up a cut tree the sap can be a problem for hands and clothing but as far as the trains go we never had a problem with it.

But, water can be an issue. Don't forget to cut the base of your trunk off about three inches. The tree lot will do this for you but make sure when you chose the tree you factor in height off the floor for your trains. This 3 in cut off will help keep your tree fresh through the week or two that it is up.

Water the tree every day, it should drink alot of water the first day or so, but check it every day.

Oh yea, electric trains hate water so be careful.

 

Have fun and a very happy and safe Holiday season.

The thing I am always more conscious about with the bottom is making sure the tree will fit properly in the stand once the bottom is cut.  For that reason, I have a small piece of paper I take with me that has 2 dimensions marked on it: 1) the diameter of the ring (to make sure the trunk will fit the stand) and 2) the depth of the stand when assembled (bottom of bowl to top of ring).  If a tree doesn't have enough trunk to touch the bottom of the bowl(without cutting off bottom branches) once the stump has some cut off, it stays on the lot (though I don't do 3" like Mario, I generally use 1" as a minimum).  I don't ever let the lot folks cut the bottom, I do it at home right before putting in the stand. (partially because of the precision of item #2 above in some cases)

 

Agree with the watering reminders.  I have found the "tree fountain" by Molor products to be a very good help.  Lets you use a larger container (2L soda bottle for standard model, or for their "Santa Fountain" I think it's a gallon) with a piece of tubing to auto water the tree as it needs it.  Does take a bit of skill to flip over the bottle quickly so as to not spill too much.

 

-Dave

Originally Posted by Dave45681:
Originally Posted by Tiffany:

 

An FAKE tree would have been a better choice for this reason and less messy to deal with.

Blasphemy! 

YUP. 

 

However, we do have an artificial tree that we can put up instead.  This is just the first year where we won't be gone for a several day stretch.  Since someone will be there to give the daily water, we were considering the option.

Originally Posted by Ace:

Park your train in a train shed at the end of a run. Just like parking your car in a garage to keep it clean.

 

I like this.  If I manage the layout I'm thinking of, I can leave the train in the tunnel.  Great suggestion!

 

Everyone:

I do appreciate all the advice.  I'm leaning towards a live tree now.  Merry Christmas!

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