How To Make Your Real Christmas Tree Last Longer

Monday, 02 December 2024

Our favourite way to kick off the festive period is to head to our local Christmas tree farm (hello Duff Christmas Tree Farm in Buchlyvie!) and find the perfect tree. It’s a bit like the 3 bears – that one’s too short; that one’s too bare; that one’s too skinny; that one’s lopsided. We’re very judgmental when it comes to Christmas trees! However, once we have done the difficult part of finding the perfect tree and getting it home, here’s what needs to be done next to make your real Christmas tree last longer…

Find the perfect tree then chop it down!

How To Make Your Real Christmas Tree Last Longer

1. Cut trees quickly excrete a layer of sap and that will stop any water being sucked up so you need to slice another part off the trunk and immediately let is stand in a bucket of water OUTSIDE for 24 hours.

2. The next day you can pop your tree into its stand and bring it indoors but make sure there is plenty of water in the stand. For the first day indoors, check the water levels regularly – you will be amazed at how much water the tree will suck up and it must never run dry. If it runs dry it will create that layer of sap again and not suck up any more water and will quickly dry out. A dry tree will quickly lose its needles and we don’t want that!

3. Locate your tree away from a radiator or if you have underfloor heating it pop it on a plinth to raise it up a bit.

4. Check the water levels of your tree every day and evening for the rest of the festive period and top up as required.

Our decorated tree

If you do this then your tree should still be looking great well into the New Year.

If you can, cutting down your own tree is a great option as you know it is freshly cut. Sometimes the trees you get in high street stores may have been cut down some time ago. If you are able to support a local farm and know more about where your tree came from, is it from a sustainable source and when was it felled then that will make a great difference too.

Hopefully that helps keep your tree in tip top condition throughout the festivities.

For more info on choosing real v artificial Christmas trees click here.

To learn more about different types of real trees click here.

Merry Christmas

All at Vialii