The 3 common mistakes you’re making with a real Christmas tree & the best fir to choose as it ‘stays alive for 5 weeks’
EXPERTS have shared the most common mistakes people make when looking after their Christmas trees.
Jess Steele, heating and technology expert at BestHeating, has teamed up with horticulturist and Christmas tree expert Deemer Cass from Fantastic Gardeners to share the dos and don’ts when it comes to keeping real Christmas trees alive for longer.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous they said there are three mistakes.
1. NEAR A HEAT SOURCE
Although Christmas trees look great when positioned near a cosy fire, placing it near a blazing heat source like this is a big mistake.
It will result in the tree drying out, looking wilted and shedding its needles all before the big day has begun.
Jess says: “The Christmas tree should take centre stage but always avoid positioning near a heat source like radiators and fireplaces.
“For a home with underfloor heating, try and turn it off in the area with your tree.
“If you can’t avoid a warm place, make sure the stand or box is constantly topped up with water as a Christmas tree uses up to two litres of water a day.”
Deemer Cass adds: “Regarding the temperature of the water, like most other plants, Christmas trees prefer it cold and there’s no such thing as over-watering unless you fill the stand up every hour.”
2. POSITION
Figuring out the best place for the Christmas tree can be tricky especially with a smaller space.
The best spot is often in the corner of the room if space is limited, that way it’s tucked out the way and isn’t at risk of being knocked over.
“If you’ve opted for a pot grown Christmas tree, place in a cool corner of your home that gets lots of natural sunlight,” Deemer says.
“Another key tip to note with potted Christmas trees is that you mustn’t keep indoors for more than 12 days at a time as it will slowly start dying.
“Move your tree outside every 10-12 days for around 24-30 hours.”
3. WRONG ROOM
As well as the position of the Christmas tree, many forget about the conditions the tree needs to survive.
“The home’s ideal wintertime humidity is between 45-50 per cent and is also the perfect moisture level that your Christmas tree requires,” Jess says.
“If the air is too dry, it will cause the tree to wither, in which case, use a humidifier to add moisture in the air and help your Christmas tree stay alive and fresh until the end of the holiday season.”
What Christmas tree lasts the longest?
Petar Ivanov from Fantastic Services said: “You can expect a Christmas tree to last around three to four or even longer in some cases.
“The key is to start with a fresh tree and maintain its hydration throughout its time indoors.
“With proper care, it can last up to five weeks or more.
“If you’re wanting to decorate early, I would recommend opting for a Fraser Fir or Douglas Fir as these are known for holding their needles better than other varieties like Scotch Pine.
“When picking out your tree always inspect before purchase and choose one with vibrant, flexible needles that are firmly attached to the branches as a healthy tree at the start is more likely to last longer.
“Look for one that has the least amount of brown needles and is displayed in a shady location.
“It’s generally recommended to avoid picking ones from sunny display areas.”
When to buy your real Christmas tree?
Most types of Christmas trees that are freshly cut usually last between four and six weeks.
The first weekend of December is the most common choice.
You might want to consider getting your Christmas tree delivered and keep it stored in a cool, dry place outdoors, so it’s ready for when you want to decorate it.
How to look after your real Christmas tree
HERE'S what you need to know if you're buying a real Christmas tree:
First thing’s first: buy a pot (if it doesn’t come in one already).
You’ll need to treat your tree just like a houseplant and give it water and attention.
Make sure the container has good drainage – and it’s a good idea to put something underneath to catch the excess water.
Check the soil everyday to make sure it’s not drying out.
If it feels dry, give it some water. If it still feels moist, leave it alone as too much water can also kill a tree.
Also check the LED bulbs on your tree lights aren’t too hot as they could burn it, and keep your tree away from radiators.
When Christmas is over, try planting it in the garden so you can dig it up and use it again next year.
It’s a good idea to take it out of its pot when you do re-plant it though, as large trees don’t survive well in pots as their roots need space to grow.