From keeping them hydrated to how to choose the right tree for your home and for your needs, a Christmas tree expert has shared tips and tricks for this festive season
It’s that festive time of year and getting our Christmas trees ready is one of the biggest jobs of the season, but it’s important to make sure we’re looking after them too. Reports suggest that greater numbers of us will choose to deck the halls earlier this year.
The Tesco Christmas Trends Report 2024 highlighted that 12% of Brits planned to get their tree up in November, with a further 75% opting for early December. With that in mind, it’s even more important to know how to keep trees in tip-top condition, or we run the risk of having a brown looking tree on December 25.
From keeping them hydrated to not getting caught up in trends, to how to choose the right tree for your home and for your needs, a Christmas tree expert has shared tips and tricks for this festive season.
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Mayfield Lavender owner Lorna Maye has come to the rescue and shared her advice for helping Christmas trees look beautiful all the way until Christmas Day.
Drawing on her horticultural expertise as owner of the 25-acre, family-run organic Mayfield Lavender farm in Banstead, Surrey, Lorna has revealed her ten tried-and-tested methods to help Christmas trees look great and stay healthy all the way through to the New Year.
Don’t be late to the party
One of the cardinal rules of looking after your Christmas tree is when you buy them. As much as buying them early is great, you don’t have to bring them in to decorate right away.
Lorna said: “Trees should be bought towards the end of November, when they first go on sale, enabling shoppers to find their perfect one from the widest selection.
“They don’t have to be taken indoors straight away; trees can be left outside in a bucket of water, where they’ll stay lovely and fresh, until ready to be brought indoors for decorating.”
Choose the right variety
Choosing which Christmas Tree is a big decision and not all evergreen conifers are made equal, and picking the best type can make all the difference.
Lorna recommends choosing a Nordmann fir, as they’re the best variety for keeping their needles, plus they smell wonderful and always look gorgeous. This is the perfect choice for those intending to put their trees up early.
Make sure it’s made to measure
Ensure you check the height of your space before Christmas tree shopping as an eight foot tree in most houses is too much.
Lorna said: “It’s amazing how many people think they can squeeze in a bigger tree than they actually can. It’s worth checking the width too, just to be sure it doesn’t take over the whole room.”
Go for shape and symmetry
It can be hard to know what to look for, but try to select a tree that’s nice and uniform.
Lorna advises looking for one that’s symmetrical with plenty of branches from top to bottom so that there is ample space to hang all the decorations, both old and new (and don’t underestimate how many you collect!).
Give it a snip for optimum sip
Once the tree is back at home, saw two or three centimetres off the bottom of the trunk to remove any dried sap that’s accumulated. The cutting opens the pores, which aids water absorption.
Prep with a Long Drink
As soon as the end of the tree is cut, it should be placed into a bucket of water for a long drink before being put in situ. The tree will absorb more water at this point than at any other time.
Whilst it can be easy to want to get stuck into decorating, your tree will be glad of the long break first and it ensures it will last longer.
Location, location, location
Choosing where to put the tree in your house is an important festive decision. Lorna advises to place the Christmas tree somewhere cool to prevent needle drop, away from radiators or a fire, as the heat can dry it out really quickly.
The perfect spot is near a window where it is naturally cooler, although avoid too much direct sunlight. If lights are being added, ensure the tree is near a power socket.
Let it settle
Before starting to decorate, give the tree a few hours outside of its netting to relax and adjust to the indoor temperature. This allows the branches to drop back to their natural position, making it easier to hang decorations evenly.
Hydration, hydration, hydration
Lorna also advises thinking about how you’ll keep the tree watered, which can help stop needles from dropping or from your tree expiring too early.
She urges people to choose a stand with a proper water base, as these are the best ones, as they make it easy to keep your tree hydrated. Check the water each day and give it a little top-up to keep the tree fresh and happy.
Avoid the urban myths
Another important tip is not to buy into the latest viral trends.
Lorna said: “Every year, there seems to be a new ‘hack’ for keeping Christmas trees perky, from adding Coca-Cola or lemonade to syrup and baking soda.
“Don’t jump on the bandwagon, as some of these can be detrimental. Plain water is all that your tree requires.
“Buying a real Christmas tree supports farmers and is kinder to the planet. They’re grown sustainably, create a healthy ecosystem, and most responsible growers plant new trees every year.
“Fresh trees smell wonderful too, and there’s something so traditional and heart-warming about having a real one in the house.
“If you follow these tips, you can enjoy yours in optimum condition throughout the season, and once Christmas is over, your tree doesn’t go to waste; it’s completely biodegradable and often recycled into mulch to help nourish our parks and gardens for the year ahead.”
