People are only just realising why you shouldn't put Christmas trees in soil or sand
With the big day coming up really hot, many Christmas fans will be wondering why their real trees are looking a little lacklustre compared to others they see on social media.
And it's bad news for those who have plonked their beloved fir into sand or soil - but experts are here to remind you why you shouldn't do this next year, and why there are specific things you need to do in order to take care of your Christmas tree.
TikTok user @plants_n_gardens showed them "repotting" their tree, filling a tree base with compost - but this is a red flag if you want a healthy tree. William Mitchell, gardening expert and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery, said that there are 'correct' ways to water and care for your tree.
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That's right – your real tree needs watering, so you shouldn't just be whacking it into a stand and hoping for the best if you want maximum results (and for the decorations not to be dropping like flies off the dry branches).
Around eight to 10 million real Christmas trees are sold each year across the UK - but annoyingly, not all of them retain their fresh pine scent and green branches until the big day.
William said there are methods to keep your tree looking as fresh as possible. He said: "As soon as you bring your tree home and take it out of the net, you should cut one to two inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a large bucket or tree stand.
"This opens up the tree's pores, allowing it to easily absorb water. If you don’t cut the bottom of the trunk, it will remain blocked with sap and will struggle to drink water, no matter how often you feed it.
"Similarly, you should refrain from putting your tree in soil or sand as this will also block the pores, making water absorption extremely difficult."
William also claimed it's important to water your tree to prevent it from becoming dry and brittle - he recommends one or two litres a day, with the bare minimum being 500ml.
He insisted trees should be constantly submerged in two inches of water, and it's vital to keep your eye on the level - but said trees don't need lemonade or sugar to perk them up, as is often recommended, because water will do the trick.
Thinking about where to put your trees, William recommended keeping them away from warm areas and radiators, which will dry them out.
He said: "It's a good idea to place your tree close to a window where it can get some fresh air. If you have already placed your tree somewhere warm or close to a heating source, you should move it to a cooler, safer area."
If you don't water your tree over the festive season, it will become dry, droop with the needles falling off. Also it'll start to smell, and ultimately, die prematurely. And nobody wants a dead Christmas tree on the big day because that's not very festive.
