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Caring for your tree

Choosing a real Christmas tree

Follow our tips to help your real Christmas tree stay fresh and healthy into the New Year.

  • stand it in a bucket of water and keep it in a cool place such as a garage or shed until ready to take indoors for decorating
  • before taking it indoors, cut off at least one inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the trunk and gently shake the tree to remove any loose needles
  • pot the tree with the trunk immersed in water. Our woodland centres have special stands
  • do not use sand or soil in the tree stand as they restrict water from being drawn up the trunk
  • stand the tree in the coolest part of the room, ideally next to a window and away from radiators and fires and top it up with water daily

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