As people are starting to think more about Christmas, experts have shared a word of warning for people considering where to place their trees this year
As Halloween and Bonfire Night come to an end, many are turning their thoughts to the upcoming festive season, which is Christmas. With the excitement of selecting Christmas trees brewing and as people start deciding on the perfect spot to place their tree at home, experts have some important advice to share.
For those fortunate enough to have a bay window, it may seem like the ideal location to showcase a Christmas tree, allowing it to shine for neighbours and passers-by. However, experts from Gardeners Dream warn that this choice could potentially shorten the life of a real tree.
Craig Wilson, gardening guru and founder of Gardeners Dream, advises: “A bay window is often known as the best place to position a Christmas tree and rightly so, it keeps it tucked out of the way – not taking too much space away from the room – and it is on full display for neighbours. For an artificial tree, it is perfect, but for a real tree, it could be detrimental.”
He adds: “If you have a south-facing house, placing your tree in a front bay window leaves it open to sitting in the direct sunlight from those crisp, sunny, winter mornings. This can cause real trees to dry up faster.”
Wilson also cautions: “Whilst, if left alone a dried tree can still look beautiful, you run the risk of knocking it often when opening and closing bay blinds and curtains, or opening windows meaning you’re likely to lose loose needles multiple times a day. This will lead to your tree looking a little bare before the big man’s even been.”
Craig has shared his expert tips on keeping your Christmas tree fresh and vibrant throughout the holiday season, regardless of its location. Here are his best suggestions, reports Surrey Live.
1. Check your tree before you purchase
When buying a Christmas tree, Craig emphasises the importance of ensuring it lasts throughout the holiday season. It might be tempting to choose the largest and fullest tree right away, but it’s essential to do a quick check before making your final decision.
“Once you have found a tree you like the look of, you need to check the colour. If it looks a fresh, healthy green, this is a good sign, if the colour looks dull and almost matte, you might want to reconsider,” he said.
“Another thing to try is bending the needles to see if they are flexible, if not and they snap then you have found a tree that is already drying up and on its way out – avoid!”
2. Trim the tree stump before you position it
When you buy a tree that has been removed from the ground, it’s important to trim the stump once you bring it home, as the expert mentioned. Since the tree has been cut, the end of the stump may have dried out a bit, which can make it more difficult for the tree to take in the water it needs to remain fresh and healthy.
“You’ll only need to remove 1.5-2cm from the base,” he said.
3. Place it in a base that allows daily watering
“You’ll need to ensure you have a stand or tree base that can also hold water or allow you to slide a dish beneath it. Your Christmas tree will need a fresh top-up of water every single day to keep it hydrated and healthy for the full festive period. Without this, it will dry up and lose needles quickly,” Craig said.
4. Keep it away from heat sources
If you want your tree to last the test of Christmas time, then you need to consider where in your home you are positioning it, making sure to keep it at least three feet away from heat sources such as radiators and fireplaces. “Keeping your tree cool is the key to keeping it from drying out too early,” Craig stressed.
5. Don’t place it in high-traffic areas if you’re likely to forget to water it
Craig explained: “This isn’t super important if you manage to keep on top of your Christmas tree care, but if you are likely to forget to water it once in a while, you’ll want to consider the footfall close to your tree.”
If your tree starts to dry out due to lack of water, its needles will loosen, and the slightest movement can cause them to fall. If you place your tree somewhere where it is likely to get knocked or brushed past regularly, then you’ll end up with a bare tree pretty quickly.
“So finding a position that is out of people’s way will be the best option to keep needles on your tree – even if they are a bit dry,” he said.
