Not many of
us will have the room to have such an enormous Christmas tree but the
popularity of a real Christmas tree remains. If you want to make the
most of your Christmas tree follow our tips to make of your festive
focal point.
Cut or
potted?
Cut trees
can be cheaper as they don't need the extra expense of the pot and
soil. Being cut they will only last for the Christmas period. A
potted tree with the root ball intact can be planted in the garden
afterwards. Next year you can either decorate it outside or dig it up
to use again. A potted tree is still living so the needle drop won't
be as bad as with a cut tree.
When to
buy
If you want
a cut tree to look at its best they usually last around three to four
weeks. If you like to get your tree early then by Boxing Day it could
be coming down. If you like to keep your tree up for New Year and
through to Twelfth Night then it will be best to wait until two weeks
before Christmas Day to buy your tree.
Variety
The scent,
texture and needle drop of a Christmas tree will differ according to
the variety. The two most popular varieties are Norway Spruce and
Nordmann Fir. Norway Spruces are spikier and generally cheaper but
they are more prone to needle drop. Nordmann Fir have a more
luxurious texture and the needles are good at staying on the tree.
Other varieties that hold their needles well are Noble Firs and
Fraser Firs. They both have lovely scents with the Fraser Fir being
especially good for small spaces.
Size and
shape
Don't forget
to measure the space you intend to put your tree in. You will need to
factor in a stand plus any tree topper you want to put on. It's also
best to pick a tree which isn't already netted up. This way you can
check the width and layout of the tree plus check if it has any
missing or damaged branches. A netted tree can also create its own
micro-climate which can change the colour of the needles and
cause premature needle drop.
Caring
for your tree
If you have
bought a cut tree saw a few inches off and stand it in a bucket of
water for as long as possible. This will help prolong its life.
Don't bring
it in until you are ready to decorate it.
Don't place
it near a heat source such as a radiator or wood burner. It will dry
out too quickly – Christmas trees aren't designed to be inside warm
houses.
Water well –
a cut tree will need at least 1-2 litres of water a day so make sure
you have a stand with a water well in it. A potted tree won't need
some much watering. In fact over watering could cause it to die of
'trench foot'. Check the soil every day to see if it needs water.
After
Christmas
Some
councils have free collections for cut Christmas trees. Check their
website for details. Others may charge but should be happy to accept
trees at the local household recycling centre.
If you have
a wood chipper you could use that to provide yourself with some free
bark for your garden.
For potted
trees either move outside in its container or pick a spot to plant it
in. Bare in mind fir trees can grow quite tall with extensive root
systems so plant well away from houses and buildings.
Do you have
a real Christmas tree? How do you pick and care for it?
We have only bought two trees in the last 12 years. Both have been pot-rooted and have just grown a bit bigger each year in their (re-potted) pots until they were too big to bring in. When the first one was too big, we planted it in the garden. The second one is growing well and should last us about 3 more years! we did well!!!!! x
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