Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a tree, and 16 million of us opt for a real one. But it’s easy to end up with a frazzled-looking Christmas tree. So we have some great tips to keep yours looking fresh.
Here’s all our best advice on how to keep your Christmas tree looking healthy throughout the festive season, thanks to GardeningExpress.co.uk. They’ve shared their tips on keeping your tree looking its best as we count down to Christmas.
Having a real tree in the home for Christmas means taking extra good care of it in order to keep it in good shape. Doing things like opting for LED lights, and keeping the tree away from heat are key to making it last as long as possible.
Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express said: “Having a real tree at Christmas really adds to the festive feeling. They look great and they’re better for the environment!
“However, a lot of people worry about keeping their trees looking fresh and healthy throughout the holidays. Many of us are doing things that are damaging our Christmas trees without even realising like exposing the tree to too much heat.
“There are a few things you can do to make sure that your tree stays looking fresh and healthy right up until Christmas!”
Here’s how to keep your Christmas tree looking healthy for longer.
How to keep your Christmas tree looking healthy: Buy a healthy tree to begin with
The best way to keep your tree looking healthier for longer is ensuring you pick a tree that is already in good condition. To check how healthy a tree is, try running your hands through the branches. Trees that have brown needles falling off of them should be avoided.
Another trick is to buy a tree that is in some shade. This tree will be used to having less sun so it won’t be too much of a change for it when you transfer it inside.
How to keep your Christmas tree looking healthy: Keep it away from heat and lights
Be mindful of where you set up your tree and how many lights you have decorated over it.
For example, avoid putting your tree too close to the fireplace or radiators. This will only cause your tree to dry out more quickly.
Chris recommends putting the tree somewhere it can get a few hours of natural light each day.
Try spritzing water over your tree regularly to keep it hydrated. But be sure to avoid spraying any electrical lights or decorations for health and safety reasons.
How to keep your Christmas tree looking healthy: Opt for LED lights
Obviously a beautifully decorated tree is nothing without lights. Normal lights let off a lot of heat which, as we know, can dry out the tree. If you are putting lights on your tree, consider LED lights.
Not only do they let off less heat, but they’re also more efficient and give the tree a softer glow.
Trim the bottom of your tree before placing it in water
When you purchase your tree, the seller will already cut the bottom of it. But before putting the tree up, it’s a good idea to give it another cut.
Chris from GardeningExpress says: “Sap will have formed at the bottom of the trunk from the first trim in an attempt to heal the tree’s wound. Giving it another trim before placing it in water will remove this, allowing for a much better water consumption.”
Check the water level every day
You might be surprised by how much water your tree will consume. They can drink up to several litres of water in the first couple of weeks.
Christmas trees will typically consume around one to two litres of water a day. So make sure you keep an eye on water levels and top this up when necessary.
Now your Christmas tree’s sorted, here’s our feature on Christmas tablescaping.
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