How to Care for Your Christmas Tree
You've done it, you've waded through a pile of bushy, prickly trees of all shapes, types and size. You've carried multiple trees out of the heap, only to find that you've, yet again, pulled out a tree which is too bushy, too tall, or not bushy enough. You're just about ready to give up, when finally you come across one you haven't yet seen. You and your partner look at the tree, then you look at each other and you know what the other is thinking...you've found, 'the one'.
With absolute delight, you carry it to your cat and transport it home. You then spend the rest of the day stupidly excited, as you can't wait to finally bring your festive focal point into your home. The second thought you have is "I hope it continues to look this good and small this fresh come Christmas Day". Well, that's where I come in.
If you have trouble keeping your tree alive right up until New Year, I have some quick, simple tips and tricks to keep your tree in tip top condition right up until the bid day!
Before buying your tree
Be prepared...
Bring some heavy-duty gloves, regardless of the type of tree you're looking to buy. Although, you'll want to take special care if you're planning on handling and buying a spruce.
Get measuring...
I get it, Christmas tree shopping is exciting, the prospect of finally having one in your home fill you with nothing but joy and you automatically want to buy one which is 7 foot tall and extremely bushy, but then you remember that your home simply won't house a tree that big, and it brings you right back down to Christmassy reality.
Go shopping for a tree with measurements in hand. Measure the space you have available (taking into account the tree stand) and bring the readings with you for reference. You should also bring a tape measure so you can properly gauge whether or not the tree you've selected will squeeze into your home.
What do you want from your Christmas tree?
When shopping for a tree, ask yourself the following questions:
1) Do I want a spruce, pine or fir tree?
2) Do I want it to be really bushy, slightly bushy or skinny?
3) How tall do I want to go? 4ft, 5ft and 6ft trees are most popular
4) Do I want minimal needle droppage or can I deal with a slight mess?
5) Do I want it to smell fresh throughout the season?
When buying your tree from a local source, rather than a supermarket or garden centre, there will always be someone around who will be happy to answer your Christmas tree questions, and they're always really helpful.
*TOP TIP! When hunting for a tree, look in shady areas as opposed to ones which have been exposed to direct sunlight - the branches will be more fresh and sturdy, with minimal needle drop-off.
How to spot a healthy tree from the offset...
You want to go for a tree with shiny, glossy-looking needles. Colour is also important - dark green or brown needles are never a good sign, so opt for light or medium shades of green instead. Another thing you should try is to run your hand down a branch, going in the direction the needles have grown. If any of them have come off in your hand, PUT THAT TREE DOWN! A healthy tree will never have needle drop-off this early in this season.
If you don't ask, you don't get...
If you spot a tree which looks good in the netting (I've never looked at a tree which is already in its netting and thought, that looks great, personally, but each to their own), then ask a member of staff to take the netting off o you can see it properly.
It's important to keep in mind that if the tree has been in its netting for a long period of time, the branches won't have settled properly as soon as the netting has been removed. If you like the look of it right there and then, be prepared for a more bushy tree once it's had time to rest at home, and in it's stand. This should be done overnight before decorating.
Bringing the tree home...
If you're placing the tree in the car, put down a blanket, tarpaulin or even an old shower curtain, then lay the tree carefully on top of that to protect your vehicle from scratches or other damages. Ensure it's safe to drive with the tree aboard. Check that you can still see out of all your mirrors and make sure that your passengers can travel safely with seat belts on.
If you're transporting your tree on top of your car, ensure you have a roof rack and check that everything is tied up securely and according to the (roof rack) manufacturer's instructions. You should also put the tree on with the stump facing the front of the car to prevent the tree succumbing to wind damage.
Caring for your Christmas tree
Give it a chop...
Once the tree has rested overnight, you may be required to chop a few branches off the bottom, or even saw the stump down a little. The isn't uncommon, and modifications are often key for the survival of your tree. We always chop the end of the stump off, as this allows the tree to drink the water ore quickly and effectively (yes, you have to water your Christmas tree).
You may also have to saw the sides of the stump off in order to get it into the tree stand. Do not attempt to ram the stump in as it could just end in you carving the stump up rather than carefully sawing or trimming around it.
Tress get thirsty...
Watering Christmas trees are essential to their survival, at the end of the day, they're just like any other plant. You wouldn't go 25+ days without watering your houseplants, so don't leave your Christmas tree for that long either. The tree should be topped up with water every other day, so make sure you're on top of this should you want a tree which lasts longer than a couple of weeks.
Keep it cool...
Christmas trees last longer when positioned away from heat sources. If you have a room which gets particularly hot, or if you have a wood burner, place the tree as far away from it as possible. It's also important they're kept away from radiators. If you have no other choice than to put it near a radiator, turn it off while your tree is up. The heat will cause your tree to dry out which could also cause it to drop needles and wilt prematurely.
When the festivities are over
The most eco-friendly farewell for your Christmas tree is to pay a company to take your tree away and shred it for use in parks and nature reserves. If there isn't a service near you which offers this service, take it to your local recycling centre. Don't just put them in the bin, this is in fact one of the worst tree disposal methods when it comes to being environmentally-friendly. Do your bit for the planet and recycle your tree when the festive season ends.
If you'd rather not get rid of your tree, you could always pot it or plant it outside instead. Often, trees will take to the soil and continue to thrive once again. You could even chop it down and use it again next year...if it doesn't get too big!
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I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if it helped! I will see you again really soon with another festive post for you :)
Merry Christmas!
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