CHRISTMAS TreeLC CONT .
ACCLIMATISATION
Now you ’ ve picked up your tree and have got it home safe , make sure you take it out of the car and out of its net as soon as possible to allow it time to breath , acclimatise and settle , it should be left for a minimum of 24 hours before decorating to be sure the trees branches have fully dropped into their natural place . According to Dobbies you should then ‘ Remove a few inches from the base and stand in water . Place it upright against an exterior wall or fence , out of direct sunlight if it is a warm winter ’ s day , as this will stop it drying out . Sawing off a couple of centimetres from the stump when you first got it home will help the tree to take up more water and help it last longer .’ This should keep your festive baby happy for a good while , but just like being a parent the hard work starts when you get it through the front door .
TREE TLC
So how do you keep your tree in tip-top condition once it ' s through the door and throughout the entire Christmas season ? The short answer , some serious TLC . According to Mark Stevens of Stevens Christmas Trees ( homewoodorchardnursery . co . uk ) who sell over 4000 Christmas trees a year , the best way to treat your tree is like a flower ; lots of water , and no contact with direct heat . Like a flower , if a Christmas tree is placed near an active fireplace , or radiator the tree will immediately start to lose needles , the
branches will start to droop , and you will end up with a very dead , very sad looking Christmas tree . The overall temperature of the room also dictates how much water your tree will need on its daily feeds , as the more water that ’ s evaporating from the heat , the less is getting sucked up and nourishing your tree . Dobbies suggests that your tree will need ‘ approximately 1-2 litres a day , depending on the temperature of the room . Keep the tree stand water reservoir topped up regularly and keep the room cool when it ’ s not in use .’
GO ( EVER ) GREEN
Now your perfect ever-green tree has lasted through Christmas , Santa approved and left lots of lovely gifts below its lush branches , and you have eaten every last tree chocolate you put on there - yes even the ones you hid at the back . What to do with this tree that has served you and your family so well ? The best , and easiest option is to recycle your tree ! Simply check your local council or charity for collection services that will come right to your doorstep to collect and recycle your tree .
Now you know all the tips and tricks to be the best tree parent this Christmas , your lush , green full tree will be the envy of all your friends and family , even if they can only appreciate its beauty via Zoom this year !
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING WITH
Pilgrims Hospice
If you live in Ashford , then why not register for the collection and recycling of your tree with Pilgrims Hospices ( www . pilgrimshospices . org ). The friendly team of volunteers will safely collect booked trees to be recycled from Saturday 16th – Tuesday 19th January , and whilst the Pilgrims volunteer elves do all the hard work , you in turn will be helping to support vital local hospice care by donating to the charity .
All you need to do to get involved is visit www . pilgrimshospices . org / treerecycling to register your tree for collection by Sunday 10th January 2021 .
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