Caring for your Tree

Having received your beautiful Christmas tree, you’ll want to make sure it stays fresh across the festive season (and beyond!).

Knowing how to care for it can be the difference between it looking perfect or a little worse for wear. Please click the links below for full care instructions for your tree

Cut Tree

If possible keep your tree outside until you are ready to decorate it or in a cooler ante room which will allow the tree to adapt to a warmer temperature.

1. Cut the tree trunk (optional):

If you have the tools and ability to do so, you can cut about 25millimetres (mm) off the trunk of the tree using a panel saw so that the cut base of the tree is fresh. Cutting the trunk means it takes in more water (same effect as fresh cut flowers).

However, given our trees are fresh from our partner grower it isn't necessary if you don't have the tools or want to do so.

2. Identify the best location for the tree, away from heaters and radiators:

Locate your tree away from any source of heat, such as radiators, gas heaters, fire places etc. Heat will dry the tree out and cause it to lose its needles faster.

3. Set up the tree in your stand

It's best to stand your Green Elf Tree in a purpose designed tree stand. This secures it in place and has a great water reservoir to keep it healthy and fresh. 

We have a top quality tree stand available to suit all of our trees. Please see here for more details.

Avoid placing your real tree in sand or soil as this can reduce the amount of water it can uptake.

It's advised that two people set up the Christmas tree, so one can fix the base whilst the other holds the tree stable. Before you start decorating, ensure the tree is sitting straight as it'll be far easier to fix at this point rather than later.

If possible, it's best to leave the tree to settle into shape (unfurling its branches and needles) before decorating, this is typically a 24 wait.

4. Remove from netting:

Take the tree out of its netting as soon possible to avoid moisture being trapped on any damp branches. 

5. Shake the loose needles:

Our trees varieties are all 'low drop' trees meaning they have great needle retention and shouldn't lose many needles, if cared for correctly.

When you are ready to set your tree up,  it is still advisable to shake the tree outside to remove any loose foliage or insects. You can also lightly tap the bottom of the tree trunk on the ground to remove any dead needles. 

6. Water your tree regularly:

Water your tree often to keep it looking plump and full (check for dry soil every few days and water accordingly). A dehydrated tree will start to droop and wilt very quickly, so moisture is vital in caring for your tree.

You can add approx 1-2 cups of water at a time (depending on your tree stand water reservoir). A real Christmas tree can drink 1 to 2 litres a day depending on its size and your heating.

7. Responsibly dispose of your tree:

To ensure your tree minimising its impact on the environment, to avoid nuisance in public spaces and to even give your tree a chance being repurposed in another way, please ensure it is disposed of/recycled correctly.

To make this easy and convenient for you, we offer a Responsible Tree Removal Service where we will arrange to pick it up from you in early January, and then take it to be composted or up-cycled for another purpose (like turning them into natural based candles!).

You can also contact your local borough or council for advice on options available to you.

Pot Grown Tree

If possible keep your tree outside until you are ready to decorate it or in a cooler ante room which will allow the tree to adapt to a warmer temperature.

1. Identify the best location for the tree, away from heaters and radiators:

Locate your tree away from any source of heat, such as radiators, gas heaters, fire places etc. Heat will dry the tree out and cause it to lose its needles faster.

2. Set up the tree 

If you have bought a pot cover for the tree, put that on the pot first. 

Next ensure there is a dish underneath to catch the water, at least 35cm wide. This stops water hitting the floor when you water the tree.

Finally when standing the tree up, it's perfectly normal for it to to be a bit uneven so it doesnt stand up perfectly straight. We provide wooden wedges to allow you to straighten your tree out, so place these between the dish and the base to level it out as appropriate.

3. Remove from netting:

Take the tree out of its netting as soon possible to avoid moisture being trapped on any damp branches. 

4. Water your tree regularly:

If your tree is pot-grown, make sure you water the root ball, placing a saucer underneath which can catch and keep water in it to provide water to the tree. If it’s kept outside on a porch, balcony, or in a garden it will still need water to avoid it drying out. 

5. Responsibly dispose of your tree:

If you don't want to keep your tree after Christmas, please ensure it is done so properly and with consideration of the environment of/recycled correctly.

To make this easy and convenient for you, we offer a Responsible Tree Removal Service where we will arrange to pick it up from you in early January, and then take it to be replanted in the South East!

6. Caring for your Pot Grown after Christmas

If you choose to keep your tree, one of the great things about your pot grown tree is that you can keep it for years to come. Here is some specific guidance about caring for your pot grown tree once the season is over. See this video for additional guidance. 

You will need to decide whether to keep it in a pot (so it can be brought back inside) or to plant it where it will remain indefinitely (you can dig it up again but this will be hard work, risky for the tree's health and messy!). If keeping it in a pot consider increasing the pot size each year to encourage growth!

7. Repotting/planting your pot grown Christmas tree

  1. When taking the tree out after Christmas do not put it straight out into an exposed situation — instead put it into a garage or similar situation to allow it to acclimatize, as you did on the way into the home.
  2. Place your tree in sheltered spot as they like cool, moist conditions, and think about its position during hot summers, as it shouldn't be in direct sunlight. 

  3. Best to repot or plant in early Spring, but can be done any time of the year.

  4. Repot into a pot or hole that is at least 10cm (4ins) larger in diameter.

  5. Use a multipurpose potting compost

  6. Add 10 - 15% garden bark mulch to aid drainage.

  7. When weather warms up in Spring, feed liquid fertilizer weekly.

  8. Make sure that tree is kept well watered and is not allowed to dry out.