insideKENT Magazine Issue 115 - November 2021 | Page 178

HOME + GARDEN
TOP TREE TIPS CONT .
Positioning
You should already have a rough idea of where the tree is going before it arrives home . However , there are a few notes to add when positioning the tree within a space , some of which are a little more obvious than others . Firstly , avoid placing the tree near any direct heat source ( open fires , radiators and sunny windows ), not only are they an extreme fire hazard , plastic will melt and real trees will discolour and wilt – a hot Christmas tree will not last long . Secondly , go for a place that has a lighter footfall , high traffic areas become a danger zone – it ’ s less likely to be bumped , or ( even worse ) knocked over if it ’ s tucked nicely away in a corner of a room . To make the most of your beautiful purchase find a spot where it ’ s going to be appreciated from several different angles . For maximum exposure place the tree where it can be seen from the outside , in the hallway or at the top of the staircase set back just the right distance from the window . The more you see the tree , the more you ’ ll appreciate the time spent choosing it , decorating it and keeping it alive ( if it ’ s real that is ). Most importantly though , imagine everyone gathered around it – will they fit ? Is there enough space for presents too ? Arrange furniture around the tree so as to draw the attention to the focal point – let the tree do the talking .
Looking After Your Tree
Artificial trees don ’ t take much looking after . As long as they ’ re packaged up safely every year and not squished under boxes in the loft , they ’ re likely to serve you for a good few years . Real Christmas trees on the other hand , require a little more attention . Having transported your tree home , carried it from the car , positioned and decorated it , now comes the most important part , caring for it . And having gone to all that effort , you ’ ll want to make sure it stays fresh and lasts throughout the festive period .
Like any cut flower , trees require regular water . Watering should start from the minute you get the tree home and out of its net to avoid dehydration . From then on , watering should continue every day to keep the tree looking lively and full . A drooping tree will wilt very quickly , so moisture is essential . Depending on the species , regular watering will also help retain that rich coniferous smell for longer , they ’ re also more likely to hold onto their needles . Falling needles are however unavoidable , all conifers ‘ shed ’ their coat at some point . Use a dust-pan and brush or hoover to tidy up underneath the tree , being careful not to knock the base in the process – you want to try avoiding a ‘ timber ’ moment .
When it ’ s all over and time to get your home back to normal , look to recycle your tree . Check out your local council ' s Christmas tree recycling scheme to find out the drop off or pick up points , or look for other tree recycling centres – there are lots of options and there ’ s no need to send unnecessary waste to landfill . Fake trees on the other hand are a little harder to recycle , listing your tree on a second hand website however will minimise waste .
‘ When buying a cut Christmas tree , it is best to treat it like a cut flower . Before putting the tree in it ’ s stand , saw a 1cm off the base to expose the inner trunk , which will make it much easier for the water to be absorbed into the tree . Keep the stand topped up with water whilst indoors . It is also recommended not to stand the tree too near a source of heat such as a radiator or fireplace otherwise this can dry the tree out much more quickly . A Nordman Fir is the best tree to buy as these retain their needles much longer than the traditional Norway Fir .’
Chris , Edible Culture
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