So it's nearly Christmas eve, and you may have had your Christmas tree for over a week now. If it's a plastic one, you're laughing: but if it's a real, living tree, there's the worry that you're going to trip down the stairs on Christmas morning and find Santa has brought you a floor full of pine needles.
Here are a few tips for keeping your tree in tiptop condition this festive season:
- When you buy a tree, choose one with stiff, hard needles that show no sign of dropping when you brush past it or shake it. If it comes with its roots or trunk in damp sand or soil, all the better. (If you're like me and allergic to pine needles, wear thick gloves whenever you touch the tree).
- When you get the tree home, stand it outside and wash the branches off with a hose to dislodge soil and insects. When you're ready to decorate it, saw a fresh base to the trunk, cutting diagonally to maximise the surface area of wood available to take up water.
- If you can, place your tree in a specially-designed stand that can be filled with water: check the water level every day and make sure it's topped up to at least an inch above the base of the trunk. If the tree is planted in soil or sand, keep it moist but not wet.
- Friends of mine would add always add half an aspirin or a spoonful of sugar every so often to help keep the tree fresh, or add cheap lemonade to the water, as you would do with flowers. I've tried this too and it seems to prevent needle drop.
- Remember: this is a tree! It's used to being outside. Try to stand it well away from radiators or air ducts and keep the heating as low as you can comfortably go, especially at night.
- Accept that some needles will fall, whatever you do. Keep a Dust Buster or old-fashioned dustpan and brush on hand to keep them tidied away.
- Always turn Christmas tree lights off at night and when you go out to prevent a fire risk.
- Once the festive season's over, make sure you recycle your tree: many local authorities will take yours away for you and turn it into compost or mulch. Or simply chop it up yourself and make a hibernation spot for hedgehogs under a fence or hedgerow in your garden by placing the branches in a bundle to slowly break down of their own accord. The hedgehogs will like it if you add a few leaves, too.
Well, that's it from Horticultural now until after Christmas. I do hope you all have a wonderful festive season and are looking forward to a happy and healthy 2006.
ok - so i hosed my tree down outside, which made it soaking wet (obviously). decided to dry it off with the hair dryer. all the needles fell off. help!
Posted by: louise | December 24, 2005 at 03:06 AM
Ouch! – You’d better get down to the local farm and buy another. At least they'll probably be half price by now. We bought ours from a guy in a field with a sign saying 'You are now entering Christmas Tree country' it was all very surreal. Beautiful tree though, no sign of needle droppage yet.
BTW Jane you are officially the most prolific plot blogger. When most of us are holed up for winter my RSS feed is showing an abundance of postings from Horticultural. Well done!
Posted by: mtp | December 24, 2005 at 10:15 AM
hi louise
Yes, I think mtp is right. a new tree is required. the idea is you do the hosing down several days before you bring the tree inside to let it dry off ... trees don't like hot air!
Perhaps a plastic one next year!
jane
Posted by: Jane Perrone | December 24, 2005 at 11:53 AM
I plumped for one complete with root ball again this year. We still have the one from last year planted out in the garden. I'm aiming towards my own alpine forest out there in a few years time. So far the dogs have found it interesting but so far haven't tried to 'water' it.
Posted by: Andrew | December 25, 2005 at 10:22 PM
And
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Posted by: Bill Lee | January 02, 2006 at 07:08 AM
i have also heard of using sugar for the tree as well... i am trying it this year... it seems to be working so far.. i hope you all have a verry merry christmas...
Posted by: heather | December 11, 2006 at 07:26 PM
i have also heard of using sugar for the tree as well... i am trying it this year... it seems to be working so far.. i hope you all have a verry merry christmas...
Posted by: heather | December 11, 2006 at 07:26 PM