How Do I Care for a Real Christmas Tree?
Keep your Christmas tree looking lush until the last ornament is packed away, with tips for watering, stands and siting
Artificial trees may have increased in popularity, but for the purist, only a real tree will do. No matter how realistic it looks, an artificial tree can’t compete with the scent and feel of a real evergreen. It’s a living part of nature that, for a short time, we give a place of honour in our homes.
Get your Christmas tree in water immediately
Once you get your tree home, put it into water as soon as possible, or at least within eight hours. If the trunk wasn’t freshly cut at the place where you bought the tree, then saw a few centimetres off the bottom of the trunk and put it in a tree stand filled with fresh water.
If you’re not yet ready to set up your home for Christmas, put your tree in a bucket of water in a cool place. The water temperature doesn’t matter.
Once you get your tree home, put it into water as soon as possible, or at least within eight hours. If the trunk wasn’t freshly cut at the place where you bought the tree, then saw a few centimetres off the bottom of the trunk and put it in a tree stand filled with fresh water.
If you’re not yet ready to set up your home for Christmas, put your tree in a bucket of water in a cool place. The water temperature doesn’t matter.
What’s the best Christmas tree stand?
Your stand should comfortably fit the diameter of your tree’s trunk. Whittling the trunk down will only dry out the tree faster. A tree stand should provide roughly one litre of water per 2.5 centimetres of stem diameter. Be sure the tree stand you choose has a large water reservoir. A tree can take up almost four litres of water in its first few hours in the stand.
Your stand should comfortably fit the diameter of your tree’s trunk. Whittling the trunk down will only dry out the tree faster. A tree stand should provide roughly one litre of water per 2.5 centimetres of stem diameter. Be sure the tree stand you choose has a large water reservoir. A tree can take up almost four litres of water in its first few hours in the stand.
Water, water, water
Big trees mean lots of water. Watch that the cut part of the trunk stays below the waterline. Adding aspirin, lemon squash or other concoctions to the water won’t extend the tree’s life, but it might sicken pets or children if they drink out of the water reservoir.
Big trees mean lots of water. Watch that the cut part of the trunk stays below the waterline. Adding aspirin, lemon squash or other concoctions to the water won’t extend the tree’s life, but it might sicken pets or children if they drink out of the water reservoir.
Once indoors, a live Christmas tree’s branches will relax and open. Allow enough space when siting the tree for the lowest branches to fall open and not get in the way of foot traffic.
Keep your Christmas tree cool to keep it green
To an evergreen that spent years growing in a field, your house is as dry as the Sahara Desert. And where do Christmas trees often look best? Centred in front of windows, where the strong summer sun streams in.
To an evergreen that spent years growing in a field, your house is as dry as the Sahara Desert. And where do Christmas trees often look best? Centred in front of windows, where the strong summer sun streams in.
Position the tree out of the sun and away from other heat sources. Keep the temperature in the room as low as is practical. But also be careful if you’re cranking the air con – this can also work to dry out your tree.
Browse more beautiful Christmas-themed living areas
Browse more beautiful Christmas-themed living areas
As magical as it seems to come home to a sparkling tree, don’t leave the tree’s lights on overnight or when no-one’s in the house.
Even with daily watering, cut trees will eventually dry out. When the needles drop when you touch them, and when branches droop so low that ornaments are hitting the floor, it’s time to take off the decorations, wrap the tree in an old sheet, and take it outside.
Even with daily watering, cut trees will eventually dry out. When the needles drop when you touch them, and when branches droop so low that ornaments are hitting the floor, it’s time to take off the decorations, wrap the tree in an old sheet, and take it outside.
You can saw off some of the tree’s branches and cover garden beds with them to protect plants, or turn them into mulch with a chipper or shredder. If you have the space on your property, drag the tree to an out-of-the-way spot for birds and animals to use as cover.
Some communities now collect spent Christmas trees and mulch or compost them, while many local councils pick up live trees after Christmas. The saddest end for a tree is for it to be hauled off to landfill, instead of being turned back into soil – allowed to decompose and feed living creatures, the way nature intended.
Some communities now collect spent Christmas trees and mulch or compost them, while many local councils pick up live trees after Christmas. The saddest end for a tree is for it to be hauled off to landfill, instead of being turned back into soil – allowed to decompose and feed living creatures, the way nature intended.
Your turn
How do you keep your Christmas tree looking fresh throughout December? Share your tips in the Comments below. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save the photos and join the conversation.
More
Need some decorating inspiration to get your home Christmas-ready? We have you covered – read our archive of Christmas stories here
How do you keep your Christmas tree looking fresh throughout December? Share your tips in the Comments below. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save the photos and join the conversation.
More
Need some decorating inspiration to get your home Christmas-ready? We have you covered – read our archive of Christmas stories here
Using this time to plan a renovation? Find an architect near you on Houzz and chat through the possibilities