As the festive season nears and Christmas beckons, many might be puzzled that real trees lack the lustre of those flaunted on social media.
Sadly, for those who’ve popped their beloved tree into sand or soil, this might be the root cause of your tree looking a little sad. That’s why you should follow these steps to ensure a happy Christmas tree.
A TikTok influencer, whose handle is @plants_n_gardens, shared a video featuring “repotting” their tree by packing a base with compost. However, William Mitchell, a green-fingered gardener and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery, disagrees with this approach.
Real trees need water, so simply propping it in a stand and keeping your fingers crossed just isn’t going to cut it, and you may end up with some seriously sad twigs.
Every year, a staggering eight to 10 million real Christmas trees find new homes across the UK. Unfortunately, not every one of these retains its vibrant needles or delightful pine aroma all the way through to Christmas morning.
William divulged his secrets for keeping your tree green and fresh. His top tip was: “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 highlighted the importance of keeping your tree well-hydrated to prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle. He recommends giving your tree one or two litres of water every day, stating that the bare minimum is 500ml.
He emphasised that trees need to be kept in at least two inches of water consistently, and it’s crucial to check the water level regularly. William dispelled the myth that adding lemonade or sugar water can help rejuvenate a tree, insisting that plain water does the job perfectly well.
In terms of placement, William advised against positioning trees near warm spots and radiators to prevent them from drying out.
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.”
Neglecting to water your tree during the festive season can cause a host of issues, including the tree drying up, branches drooping, needles falling off, an unpleasant smell developing, and the tree dying before its time. As William pointed out, a drooping Christmas tree certainly doesn’t exactly add to the holiday spirit on Christmas Day.