Real is the new plastic these days so we need to learn to give our seasonal greens the gifts they deserve. So, here’s how to look after a real Christmas tree.
Christmas spirit is riling up in all of us and - for many - we’re already counting down the days until the big guy delivers under the tree.
But, what happens if the tree isn’t quite so spirited? When you’ve got a real Christmas tree, it’s important to know how to give it the TLC it needs after being chopped down. This way, you won’t be asking yourself “how long do Christmas trees last?” and you can start planning when to pick the piney-est evergreen of them all.
So, we’ll be answering some FAQs about your spruce and how you can keep the tinsel hanging for longer.
- When Are Christmas Trees Chopped Down at The Tree Farm?
Christmas trees are harvested at different times depending on the species and their upcoming journey. For example, trees needing to be shipped abroad are cut in early November but more domestically sold trees can wait until late November or early December.
- How Long Do Christmas Trees Last?
After being harvested, a healthy Christmas tree can last between four and six weeks. So, if you know your tree has been farmed from a sapling here in the UK, it’ll have probably been cut in late November and you’ll have enough time to enjoy its yuletide glow throughout the holiday.
- Which Species of Christmas Tree Should I Choose?
When you want to know how to look after a real Christmas tree, it’s important to know which tree you’re working with. Here in the UK, the most common types are the Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir and Lodgepole Pine. We’d recommend looking out for the Lodgepole Pine because it’ll last the longest!
- Do I Need to Water My Real Christmas Tree?
Yes! If you want your tree to look healthy and hold your baubles throughout Christmas, the trick about how to look after a real Christmas tree is to keep it watered. So, when you get your tree home, cut 3cm off the base and plant it into water. Then, top up by spraying the needles every few days.
How to Look After a Real Christmas Tree: Can it Be Indoors?
This question is more of an extension of “how long do Christmas trees last?”. If you keep your tree outside and in the fresh air, it has more of a chance to thrive as an evergreen while you deck the halls with boughs of holly. However, there are a few tricks if you’d like your tree in your home early on:
- Cut off the base and plant your tree in a bucket of water
- Spritz your needles with fresh water every few days
- Prop up your tree in a large area so it can expand
- Don’t decorate your tree until closer to the 25th
- Make sure the room your tree’s kept it is nice and cool
- Prune large branches and needles as they grow
- Add aspirin to the water to keep the needles strong
Can I Re-Plant my Christmas Tree?
When the joyful cheers are over and the carolers have sung their hearts out for the season, your tree may still be standing. And, another trick for how to look after a real Christmas tree is to consider how it can be next year's tree, too. Here’s how:
- Make sure you buy your tree with its root ball intact
- Re-plant your tree no more than 11 days after cutting
- Ensure your tree is not dried out by the heat
- Keep your tree hydrated throughout Christmas
- Have a hole ready dug in your enriched soil
- Keep your tree cold to keep it dormant
- Fertilise the surrounding soil in the Springtime
And that’s how to deck the halls with trees that last long. Here at Seep, we wish you a Merry Christmas as you tend to your tree throughout the holidays and beyond.
Knowing how to look after a real Christmas tree isn’t the only article you might be interested in here at Seep. If you’re ready to get some cleaning done for the holidays or get some new information on compostable plastics, you might find a couple of other blogs useful. Have a read of “Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Chores in the House" and “Compostable Plastics and New Findings" just in case.
