There's something magical about a beautifully decorated, fresh Christmas tree. Many nurseries and plant suppliers now offer fresh trees of many different varieties alongside their regular stock, making this a great place to go for your seasonal tree this year.
Fresh cut trees are usually kept outside at nurseries to keep them fresh, but how do you make your tree last right through until Twelfth Night?
Choosing the best tree
Good nurseries and plant wholesalers who supply Christmas trees only offer good-quality, fresh ones. You can check how fresh the tree is by lifting it up, grasping it halfway up the trunk and tapping it firmly on the ground. A few needles will drop away, but not very many. The needles on the tree should feel flexible and firmly attached to the branches.
Handling your tree correctly
When transporting your tree, always wrap it in something to protect the branches. The nursery will probably put the tree in a net for you, or you could transport it wrapped in an old sheet or tarpaulin.
When you get the tree home, cut a few centimetres off the bottom of the trunk. This removes any sap that has sealed the trunk, preventing the tree from taking up water.
Watering the tree
It's really important that you put the tree in water as soon as possible. Put the tree outside or somewhere cool, and stand it in a bucket of water for a few hours before you think about bringing it indoors to decorate it. The tree will carry on taking up water for many days long after it has been cut, and plenty of water will help to prevent needle drop.
If possible, buy a tree stand that has an integral water reservoir and remember to top it off every day.
Feeding your tree
The nursery will supply you with a special Christmas tree preservative powder that you mix with the water in the stand. This will help to keep the tree fresh for longer as long as you keep it well-hydrated.
Putting your tree in the best spot
When you bring your tree into the house to decorate it, put it as far away from any sources of heat as possible. Avoid radiators, fires, and heaters, and don't put the tree in a window that receives strong, direct sunlight. If you have a room humidifier, this will help to keep the air from drying out, helping the tree to stay fresh.
Trimming the tree
When it comes to choosing lights for your tree, LEDs are the best option. They not only come in a range of stunning colours and designs, they're cheap to run and also stay far cooler than the old-fashioned style lights, meaning that your tree won't be at risk of drying out.
This Christmas why not buy your fresh tree from your local nursery or plant wholesaler? They will have a great array of lovely trees in various sizes and of many different species to choose from.
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