HOW MUCH WATER DOES A CHRISTMAS TREE NEED?

The amount will depend on the size and species of the tree, the thickness of its trunk and the temperature of the room. Some trees may take up one or two litres each day, particularly when first brought indoors. Check the reservoir daily rather than relying on a fixed quantity.

SHOULD I ADD ANYTHING TO THE WATER?

No. Plain, fresh tap water is all your Christmas tree requires. Sugars, plant foods and other additives are unnecessary.

HOW LONG SHOULD A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE LAST?

A fresh, good-quality tree should remain attractive for several weeks when it is prepared correctly, watered every day and kept away from heat. The exact period will vary according to the species and conditions inside the home.

WHY HAS MY CHRISTMAS TREE STOPPED DRINKING?

First check that the bottom of the trunk is still submerged. The stand may appear to contain water even though the level has fallen below the cut base. Trees may also naturally take up less water after their first few days indoors.

IS NEEDLE DROP NORMAL FOR CHRISTMAS TREES?

A small amount of needle loss when the tree is moved, unwrapped or decorated is normal. Excessive needle loss, brittle branches or dry foliage can indicate that the tree has become dehydrated or is being kept somewhere too warm.

How to Care for a Real Christmas Tree

Q: WHEN SHOULD I REMOVE THE NETTING FROM MY CHRISTMAS TREE?

Place the tree securely in its stand before removing the netting. Cut the net from the bottom upwards and allow the branches time to settle into their natural position before adding lights and decorations.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Your Christmas tree is a natural product that has been carefully grown and tended for approximately six to ten years before arriving in your home. It has been planted specifically for Christmas and has not been removed from natural woodland.

At Cadeby Tree Trust, we plant 1.5 new trees for every tree we harvest. By preparing your tree properly, keeping it well watered and choosing the right position in your home, you can help it remain fresh and attractive throughout Christmas.

Remove approximately 1–2cm from the bottom of the trunk immediately before placing the tree in its stand. This exposes fresh wood and helps the tree absorb water.

MAKE A FRESH CUT

Place the tree in a water-holding stand and fill the reservoir immediately. Never allow the water level to fall below the freshly cut base of the trunk.

ADD WATER

Position your tree away from radiators, fires, heating vents and direct sunlight. A cooler position will help reduce moisture loss and needle drop.

KEEP COOL

Real Christmas trees can take up a considerable amount of water, particularly during their first few days indoors. Check and refill the stand every day.

CHECK EACH DAY

QUICK CARE GUIDE

STEP 1: BEFORE BRINGING YOUR TREE INDOORS

When you bring your tree home, keep it somewhere cool and sheltered until you are ready to decorate it. A garage, porch or sheltered area outdoors is ideal.

Stand the base of the trunk in a container of fresh water and protect the tree from strong winds, direct sunlight and sources of heat. Avoid leaving it somewhere warm and dry, as this will encourage unnecessary moisture loss before the tree is brought indoors.

STEP 2: MAKE A FRESH CUT

Immediately before placing the tree in its stand, saw approximately 1–2cm from the bottom of the trunk. Make a clean, straight cut across the base.

This fresh cut exposes the tree’s water-carrying tissue and helps it take up water effectively. Place the tree in its stand and add water as soon as the cut has been made.

Do not cut the trunk into a point, make a V-shaped cut or shave away the sides to make it fit the stand. The outer layers of the trunk play an important part in taking up water, so it is better to use a stand that fits the tree correctly.

STEP 3: CHOOSE THE RIGHT STAND

Choose a strong Christmas tree stand that is suitable for the height of your tree and the diameter of its trunk. The stand should hold the tree securely and include a generously sized water reservoir.

Larger trees and thicker trunks generally require a larger water capacity. A stand with a good-sized reservoir is easier to maintain and reduces the likelihood of the water running out between checks.

Secure and straighten the tree before removing the netting. Once the tree is stable, cut away the net from the bottom upwards and allow the branches time to settle before decorating.

EXPLORE CHRISTMAS TREE STANDS

STEP 4: WATER YOUR TREE EVERY DAY

Fill the stand with fresh tap water immediately after placing the tree in position. Check the level every day and refill it whenever necessary.

A freshly installed tree may take up a litre or more of water each day, particularly during its first few days indoors. Larger trees may require considerably more, so it is sensible to check the reservoir in both the morning and evening at first.

Always make sure that the cut end of the trunk remains below the water level. A stand can still contain some water even when the bottom of the trunk is no longer submerged.

Plain tap water is all the tree requires. There is no need to add sugar, lemonade, aspirin, plant food or other substances.

STEP 5: POSITIONING & DECORATING

KEEP AWAY FROM RADIATORS

Radiators, portable heaters and heating vents can dry the tree much more quickly.

LIMIT DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Strong sunlight through a window can increase the temperature around the tree and accelerate moisture loss.

AVOID FIRES AND FLAMES

Keep the tree a safe distance from open fires, wood-burning stoves, candles and other naked flames.

USE SUITABLE LIGHTS

LED Christmas lights are a good choice because they produce less heat than traditional filament bulbs. Check all cables and plugs before use, keep electrical connections away from the water reservoir, and switch the lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.

CARING FOR A POT-GROWN TREE

First of all, it is important to distinguish a genuinely pot-grown tree from a cut tree that has simply been placed into a decorative pot.

A pot-grown Christmas tree still has its established root system and should be cared for differently from a cut tree.

Keep the tree in a cool room, away from radiators, fires and other sources of heat. Check the compost regularly and keep it slightly moist, but do not allow the pot to become waterlogged.

Bring the tree indoors as late as practical and keep its time inside as short as possible. After Christmas, move it into a cool, sheltered porch or garage for several days before returning it fully outdoors. This gradual change will help the tree adjust to the lower temperature.

The tree can then remain in its container, be moved into a larger pot or be planted in a suitable position outdoors.

RECYCLE YOUR
CHRISTMAS TREE

When Christmas is over, remove all decorations, lights, tinsel, stands and containers before disposing of your tree.

Many local authorities offer Christmas tree collections or temporary recycling points during January. Collected trees are often chipped and reused as mulch in parks, gardens and other green spaces.

Check your local authority’s website for collection dates and recycling arrangements in your area. Your retailer or local garden centre may also operate a tree collection scheme.

Do not burn Christmas tree branches or needles in an indoor fireplace or wood-burning stove. Once dry, the material can burn extremely quickly.