With Christmas fast approaching, many festive enthusiasts may be puzzled as to why their real trees are not as vibrant as those they see on social media.
Unfortunately, it’s bad news for those who have simply placed their cherished fir into sand or soil – but experts are on hand to advise you on what not to do next year and how to properly care for your Christmas tree.
TikTok user @plants_n_gardens showed them “repotting” their tree, filling a tree base with compost – but this is a red flag if you want a healthy tree.
Now William Mitchell, a gardening expert and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery, stated there are ‘correct’ ways to make the most of it.
Indeed, your real tree needs watering, so simply placing it in a stand and hoping for the best will not yield optimal results (and prevent decorations from falling off dry branches).
Approximately eight to 10 million real Christmas trees are sold annually across the UK – but frustratingly, not all maintain their fresh pine scent and green branches until Christmas Day. William shared techniques to keep your tree looking as fresh as possible.
He advised: “As soon as you bring your tree home and take it out of the net, you should cut one to two inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a large bucket or tree stand. This opens up the tree’s pores, allowing it to easily absorb water. If you don’t cut the bottom of the trunk, it will remain blocked with sap and will struggle to drink water, no matter how often you feed it.
“Similarly, you should refrain from putting your tree in soil or sand as this will also block the pores, making water absorption extremely difficult.”
William also expressed the necessity of watering your Christmas tree to prevent a dry and brittle fate, advising a daily dose of one to two litres, with a minimum of 500ml. He emphatically stated trees need to be constantly submerged in two inches of water, alerting owners to maintain vigilance over the water level.
Debunking common myths, William said adding lemonade or sugar isn’t necessary; simple water is sufficient to keep the tree sprightly.
In terms of location, William advised against placing trees near heat sources such as radiators, which could lead to dehydration.
Instead, he suggested: “It’s a good idea to place your tree close to a window where it can get some fresh air. If you have already placed your tree somewhere warm or close to a heating source, you should move it to a cooler, safer area.”
Neglect in watering your Christmas tree has dire consequences: dryness, drooping limbs, shedding needles, an unpleasant odour, and even premature death.
And certainly, as William warns, no one desires a deceased Christmas tree on the holiday.
