Garden Office Blog

Choosing and Caring for a Christmas Tree

Choosing and Caring for a Christmas Tree

By Andrew Tweddle on 2nd November, 2011

There are 52 days left until Christmas. Whether you see this as a good or bad thing, there’s no denying that the usual signs of Christmas are beginning to appear. Whether on television or at the shops, you can’t escape the festive vibe. One of the most important preparations for Christmas is to buy a Christmas tree. A real Christmas tree adds a festive touch that an artificial one just can’t quite match. Whether inside or outside, a real Christmas tree can make a great addition to your Decorated Shed garden office during the Christmas period. Here are some tips on how to choose a good Christmas tree and how to make sure it stays healthy:

Ensure You Pick a Fresh and Healthy Tree

When you go to buy a Christmas tree, the first and most obvious sign is how it looks. It should be a consistent colour, with no signs of dying or damaged branches. To check the quality of the tree, you can run your fingers down one of the lower, and therefore older, branches, and if any more than a few needles fall off, then the tree may be already past its best. Never buy a ‘blocked’ tree. This is where the bottom of the tree is already placed in a square block of wood that is designed to keep it upright. This process means the tree can’t take on water and it will deteriorate quickly.

Shelter the Tree from the Wind and Rain if Possible (If Outside)

The wind and rain can cause a lot of damage to a Christmas tree, so if your garden has a sheltered spot, it is best to place the Christmas tree here. Even when outside, a Christmas tree is better suited to being placed in a plant pot, rather than in the ground. If your garden has no sufficient shelter, you should bring the tree inside on particularly windy or wet days.

Place the Tree in Water (If Inside)

If you decide to plant your Christmas tree inside, then it is best placed in tap water, rather than in soil or sand, which would block the pores of the tree, leading to problems maintaining the quality of it. Make sure the water is topped up regularly, as the tree will use up a significant amount every day. Shortly before placing your tree into the water, you should cut a small amount off the very bottom of the tree, which will open up the pores in the bark, meaning it can take in water more easily.

Keep the Tree Away from Heat Sources

First of all, a Christmas tree should always be kept away from open flames, as this can prove to be a fire hazard. You should also keep a real Christmas tree away from other sources of heat, such as radiators or outdoor heaters, as these will dry out the plant, leaving your tree looking unhealthy and dishevelled. Christmas Trees are also sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, so turning on a heater that is positioned close to a Christmas tree could also harm it.

Following these steps will allow you to have a healthy Christmas tree in your garden, home or garden office, which will add the perfect festive touch to any setting. Your Decorated Shed garden office is a year-round useable space, so if you’re working or relaxing in it during the winter, it deserves Christmas decorations too, and a traditional Christmas tree is the perfect way to do this


Category:  Garden Offices

Go back to blog index