Some of the magic of Christmas begins with a Christmas tree. If you’re choosing a real Christmas tree this year, you’re going to want to make sure it remains fresh and healthy throughout the entire festive season.
Knowing how to take care of your Christmas tree properly can make all the difference between a full and lush tree and a sad and bare tree. Gardening and plant expert Harry Bodell at PriceYourJob.co.uk has created this guide with some essential tips on how to ensure your Christmas tree remains healthy during the entire holiday season.
What Are The Benefits of a Real Christmas Tree?
Real Christmas trees have many benefits. Take a look at the list of the main benefits of a real Christmas tree below:
- It’s the most traditional choice
- They emit a rich, authentic scent
- You’ll be helping to support local farmers as Christmas trees provide a profitable harvest
- You can choose from a range of species
- It forms part of an annual Christmas tradition
- The tree is temporary, so you can easily change the chosen shape and style of your tree each year
- You can choose from a range of sizes to suit your home
- Every tree is unique
- It is becoming easier to recycle real Christmas trees properly
- Real trees are eco-friendly and biodegradable
How to Care for Your Real Christmas Tree
There are a few things that you might need in order to properly care for your real Christmas tree. These items are listed below:
- The tree itself
- A panel saw (for trimming the trunk)
- A bucket
- A watering can
- A Christmas tree stand or pot to place the tree in (this needs to be able to hold water without leaking)
Caring for your tree properly is essential if you want to ensure your tree looks as good as possible for the duration of the festive season. The right way to care for your real Christmas tree will vary depending on whether you’ve got a cut tree or a pot-grown tree.
Take a look at the various methods for caring for a real Christmas tree below.
Here are some tips on how to look after a cut Christmas tree:
On The Day of Purchase
It is best to purchase your tree as early as possible. Once you have chosen your dream Christmas tree and taken it home, take it out of the netting and give the tree a good shake. It’s best to do this on the day that you bring your tree home to prevent any fungus and mould from growing in the damp branches.
Before Setting Up The Tree
Before you set up the tree properly, it’s a good idea to give it some water to prevent it from becoming dehydrated. Cut around 3cm off the bottom of the trunk using a panel saw, and then pop the tree in a bucket of water and give it some time to absorb. Cutting the trunk is important as this allows it to take in more water and helps to prolong the tree’s life.
Setting Your Cut Tree Up
When you are ready to get your tree set up, give it a good shake outside to remove any of the loose foliage. When you bring it back indoors, stand it up in a Christmas tree stand. Avoid placing the tree in soil or sand, as this can reduce the amount of water that it can absorb.
Continuing the Care for Your Tree
You should top up the water every day to keep it looking healthy, plump, and full. If you allow your tree to become dehydrated, it will start to wilt and droop quickly. It’s best to add at least 500ml of water each day. A real Christmas tree is capable of absorbing around 1 – 2 litres of water each day. However, a cut tree can remain hydrated in less water.
Harry Bodell is a UK-based landscaper with over 10 years of experience in the industry. As a gardening expert for PriceYourJob, Harry offers his expert advice to tradespeople and homeowners around the world and has been featured as a gardening expert in a wide range of reputable publications.
