How to care for your Christmas tree
A gardening expert shares his tips on keeping your tree fresh until well after the big day.
Choosing your tree with care and keeping it well watered is the key to it retaining its needles and fresh pine scent throughout the festive period.
How to choose a tree that will last
After you have decided on the shape and height of your tree look carefully at the needles. If you run your hand through the branches the needles should be flexible and not fall off. Pick the tree up a little way and then bang its end on the ground, if only a very few green needles drop then you know you have a fresh tree.
How to keep my tree looking fresh
William Mitchell, gardening expert, and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery gives us some tips:
“As soon as you bring your tree home and take it out of the net, you should cut 1 – 2 inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a large bucket or tree stand. This opens up the tree’s pores, allowing it to easily absorb water. If you don’t cut the bottom of the trunk, it will remain blocked with sap and will struggle to drink water, no matter how often you feed it.
Similarly, you should refrain from putting your tree in soil or sand as this will also block the pores, making water absorption extremely difficult.
Once up, it’s essential to water your tree regularly, as this will prevent it from becoming dry and brittle. Trees can drink large amounts of water, from 1 – 2 litres a day and sometimes more, depending on their size. As a bare minimum, we recommend feeding your tree 500ml of water a day.
To stop the tree from drying out, make sure it’s constantly submerged in 2 inches of water at least. It’s vital that you check your tree’s water levels every day and if the level falls beneath 2 inches then it’s time for a top-up.
There have been suggestions around adding lemonade or sugar to help revive drooping Christmas trees, however, we suggest sticking to good old water. Regularly checking and watering your tree is the best way to keep it hydrated and standing tall.”
Where is the best place to put my tree?
Mitchell says: “In terms of placement, you want to keep your tree away from warm areas and radiators which will inevitably dry it out and run the risk of causing a fire.
It’s a good idea to place your tree close to a window where it can get some fresh air. If you have already placed your tree somewhere warm or close to a heating source, you should move it to a cooler, safer area.”
What if I don’t water my tree?
If your Christmas tree is not regularly watered then its needles will drop and the tree itself will droop. Left long enough it will also become dry and brittle which could be a potential fire hazard.
How do I dispose of my tree?
When the decorations are taken down, it’s important to dispose of trees sustainably. Here are some ways to reuse or dispose of your real Christmas tree:
- If your tree has roots then replant it in a garden to give it a new lease of life. You could also add bird feeders to provide shelter for wildlife.
- If you have a compost bin or heap, then you could break up your tree and add it to the compost.
- Drop your tree off at a recycling centre where it can be shredded into chippings for paths or turned into soil.
- Check with your local council to see if there’s a special drop-off point or collection service.
- Look for an organisation or charity that offers a ‘treecyling’ service where it could be used to build effective flood barriers in communities around the UK.
Melina - Assistant Editor
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