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How to Care for Your Christmas Tree
Choosing a Healthy Tree
When choosing a Christmas tree, look for one that is:
- Healthy-looking with bright, shiny needles
- Heavy, which indicates freshness
- Retains needles when tapped on the ground
Transporting Your Tree
- Protect the base of the tree with net wrapping while transporting it.
- If transporting on a car roof, face the base forward to prevent moisture loss.
Caring for Your Tree
Step 1: Sawing the Trunk
- Saw the trunk level so the tree can stand upright.
- Keep the tree in a bucket of water outside for a day or two to absorb water.
Step 2: Watering
- Secure the tree in a water-retaining stand.
- Fill the stand with water and keep the needles fresh by topping up the water every few days.
Step 3: Placement
- Keep the tree away from direct heat sources like fireplaces or radiators.
- Provide ample space for air circulation around the tree.
Step 4: Recycling
- Many councils offer Christmas tree recycling services.
- Shred the branches and use them as mulch in your garden to suppress weeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t my Christmas tree smell?
- Different tree types have varying fragrances.
- Dehydration can reduce fragrance.
- Trees treated with anti-desiccant may not release fragrance.
Why does my pot-grown Christmas tree have brown needles?
- Pot-grown trees need regular watering, feeding, and repotting.
- Browning needles indicate a lack of water or nutrients.
How do I repot my Christmas tree?
- Repot annually into a larger container with peat-free, soil-based compost.
- Remove as much old compost from the rootball as possible to maximize nutrient absorption.
