xmas tree care, christmas tree care, looking after your christmas tree, keep christmas tree fresh

How to look after your Christmas Tree...

The key is to encourage your tree to drink water whilst in your house at Christmas time. Scientists proved that it is possible for cut Christmas trees WITH NO ROOTS to drink water, by capillary action, through their bark - in the same way that cut flowers drink water in a vase.

1. Buy a fresh Christmas Tree
   Buy a fresh Christmas tree from Pines and Needles - part of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.
   
   
2. Prepare the trunk - we do this to all our trees so you don't have to!
   Just before you install your tree, saw off the bottom 1" (3cm) of the trunk. This creates a fresh cut and opens up the pores in the bark, which otherwise block up with sap within a few hours of being cut. The tree is then able to drink water through these pores via capillary action.
   
   
3. They need routine
   Do not to expose your tree to sudden changes in temperature.
   
   
4. Keep it away from heat sources
   Position your Christmas tree away from any heat sources such as radiators and fireplaces. Heat dries out your tree faster, so the further from its source the better.
   
   
5. Water your tree
   Place your tree in plain water - not soil or sand which would block the pores in the bark. This is best achieved by using a specially designed Christmas tree stand - either a Hydro or a Cinco stand. Many precious hours can be wasted trying to make a Christmas Tree stand up straight in an ordinary bucket, using just bricks or stones!
   
   We strongly recommend the Cinco Stands, which are for sale on our website and can be used with trees up to 12ft tall.
   
   
6. Then keep on watering it!
   Keep the Christmas tree stand topped up with water. Your Christmas tree may drink 2-3 pints (1-2 litres) of water per day, depending on its size and your central heating settings.
   
   This is very important as once the water level drops below the tree's trunk, sap will re-seal the bark within a few hours, preventing the tree from drinking any further water - even if you then re-fill the Christmas tree stand. - You won't want to have to saw off the bottom inch of the trunk again! An empty bottle of wine is ideal for this task - and a good way of remembering to give your tree a Christmas drink!