ABSTRACT
Introduction Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has commonly been touted for its potential to extend the aesthetic lifespan (EL) of Christmas trees when added to the water in the tree stand. This study examined the efficacy of ASA in prolonging the aesthetic longevity of spruce branches, in comparison to placebo and sildenafil. Intervention We conducted a triple-blinded, randomised clinical trial, wherein 60 spruce branches were allocated to one of three treatment arms in a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary intervention was ASA, compared against both placebo and sildenafil treatments. The study's primary endpoint was the EL of the spruce branches. Results All participating branches completed the study. No statistically significant differences were observed in the survival times across the three groups: ASA 17 days (standard deviation (SD): 6), placebo 20 days (SD: 8), and sildenafil 21 days (SD: 7); p = 0.30. Both the log-rank test and adjusted Cox proportional-hazards analyses failed to show any significant variations in aesthetic survival time among the treatment arms (p > 0.05). Conclusion Given our findings, there is no empirical support for the widely held recommendation of adding ASA to the water at the base of a Christmas tree to extend its aesthetic lifespan. Funding none. Trial registration none.
