How to care for your Christmas Tree
With a little bit of tender love and care, your Christmas tree can look healthy and fresh throughout the festive season.
Scroll on to read our guide to looking after your tree.
1. trim the trunk
Keep the netting on your tree and use a saw to trim about 3 cm from the base. This removes any dried sap and helps the tree absorb plenty of water so it stays fresh and green throughout the festive season. After trimming, remove the netting and stand your tree in a bucket of water outdoors for 24–48 hours to allow it to rehydrate fully before bringing it inside
2. keep it hydrated
When you’re ready to set up your tree, give it a good shake outdoors to remove any loose needles. Bring it to your chosen spot and secure it firmly in a water-holding stand. Your tree must stay hydrated at all times, so choose a stand with an accessible, generous water well. Fill the stand with water and top it up daily to keep the needles fresh and the tree looking its best. For an extra boost, you can use our Christmas Tree Food sachets on days 1 and 5, available to purchase at the tills.
3. keep it cool
Constant heat and temperature changes can dry out your tree quickly. For the longest-lasting display of fresh, fragrant needles, position your tree away from direct heat sources such as radiators or open fires. Make sure it has plenty of space around it, allowing air to circulate freely and helping it stay healthy throughout the season.
4. don't forget to recycle
When the time comes to say goodbye to your tree, skip the tip and support St Catherine’s Hospice. For a small donation, you can have your real tree collected from your doorstep – find out more at stch.org.uk/tree-collections. Alternatively, you can shred the branches and foliage to spread under shrubs in your garden, where it will act as a weed-suppressing mulch.
