How to Make Your Real Christmas Tree Last Longer

The real magic of Christmas begins with your Christmas tree. If you're going for a real Christmas tree this year, you'll want to make sure it stays fresh and healthy throughout the entire festive season.

Knowing how to take care of your real Christmas tree properly can make all the difference in how your tree looks and how long it lasts. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.co.uk has provided some essential tips on how to ensure your Christmas tree remains healthy during the entire holiday season. Read on to find out more.

How to Look After Your Real Christmas Tree

There are a few things you might need in order to properly care for your Christmas tree. These items are listed below:

• Your real Christmas tree
• A panel saw (for trimming the trunk)
• A bucket
• A watering can
• A Christmas tree stand or pot to place your tree in (This must be able to hold water without leaking)

Caring for your tree properly is essential if you want to ensure your tree looks as good as possible for the duration of the festive season. The right way to care for your real Christmas tree will vary depending on whether you’ve got a cut tree or a pot-grown tree.

Take a look at the various methods of caring for a real Christmas tree below.

How to Care For a Cut Christmas Tree

Here are some tips on how to take care of a cut Christmas tree.

On The Day of Purchase

It's best to purchase your cut tree as early as possible. Once you've chosen your dream Christmas tree and taken it home, take it out of the netting and give the tree a good shake. It's best to complete this on the same day you bring your real tree home to prevent fungus and mould from growing in the damp branches.

Before Setting Up The Tree

Before you set the tree up properly, it’s a good idea to give it some water to prevent it from becoming dehydrated. Cut around 3cm off the bottom of the trunk using a panel saw and then pop the tree in a bucket of water to absorb. Cutting the trunk is important as this allows it to take in more water and helps to prologue the tree’s life, much like cut flowers.

Setting Your Cut Tree Up

When you are ready to get your tree set up, give the tree a good shake outside to remove any of the loose foliage. When you bring the tree back indoors, stand it up in a Christmas tree stand. Avoid placing the tree in soil or sand, as this can reduce the amount of water that it can absorb.

Continuing the Care For Your Tree

You should top up the water for your tree every day to keep it looking healthy, plump, and full. If you allow your tree to become dehydrated, it will start to wilt and droop quickly. It's best to add a minimum of 500ml of water to your tree each day. A real Christmas tree can absorb roughly 1-2 litres each day. However, a cut tree can remain hydrated on less water.

How to Care For a Pot-Grown Christmas Tree

Here are some tips on how to take care of a pot-grown Christmas tree.

When You Bring Your Pot-Grown Tree Home

You should treat your pot-grown Christmas tree like any other houseplant. When you bring your pot-grown tree home, take it out of its netting and then give it a good shake to ensure any loose foliage and insects are removed.

Before Setting Your Pot-Grown Tree Up

Before you set up your pot-grown Christmas tree, it's best to give it some time to acclimatise. Place your tree in your garage or shed so that it can get used to warmer air. Keep the tree away from any radiators.

Setting The Tree Up

Once you’ve given the tree some time to become acclimatised, you can then bring it into the home. Once you’ve set it up in the appropriate place, be sure to keep on top of watering it regularly, ensuring that the roots remain cool and moist. When watering the tree, make sure you water the root ball.

What to Do After Christmas

After Christmas, you should transfer your tree to a larger pot to allow some growing room. Then, move your tree to a sheltered spot in the garden where there is adequate lighting surrounding all sides of the tree. Avoid any dark corners. Keep the tree well-watered so that it remains healthy throughout the year and so that you can bring it inside once again the following year for Christmas. When your tree is kept outdoors, it will need more water to prevent it from drying out.

How to Recycle a Real Christmas Tree

Once the new year comes around, it’s time to start thinking about removing and recycling your tree. Take a look at the tips below for some information on how to appropriately recycle your real Christmas tree.

Recycling a Cut Christmas Tree

If possible, transport your tree to the nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre, where the tree can be appropriately recycled.

Alternatively, you may want to find out if your local council offers a collection service. Many councils offer various recycling services. If you're unsure about what your local council offers, give them a call for more information.

Recycling a Pot-Grown Christmas Tree

Your pot-grown Christmas tree can be re-used year after year. Transplant the tree to your garden.

You’ll need to re-pot it in a larger pot. Ensure the root ball has enough space in the new pot to expand and grow. If you can maintain the tree properly throughout the year, you’ll be able to bring your tree indoors to use again the following year.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Real Christmas Tree?

Real Christmas trees have many benefits. Take a look at the list of the main benefits of a real Christmas tree below:

• It’s the traditional choice

• Real Christmas trees emit a rich, authentic scent
• You’ll be helping support local farmers as Christmas trees provide a profitable harvest on land that may be otherwise unproductive.
• Real trees come in a range of species with good needle retention, so you won't need to clean up much.
• Choosing a real Christmas tree forms part of an annual Christmas tradition
• The tree is temporary, so you can easily change the shape and style of your tree year after year
• Real trees come in a range of sizes to suit your home
• Every tree is different, unique, and individual
• Real trees are becoming easier to recycle properly
• Real Christmas trees are eco-friendly as they are completely biodegradable

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