Caring for your tree
When you get your tree home, it’s best to keep it in a cool place until you’re ready to decorate it. Once inside, secure the tree in a water-holding stand that is sufficiently wide for the trunk. This avoids having to take chunks out of the bark at the bottom, which will make it harder for the tree to take up water properly. When it comes to positioning it, try to place it away from radiators and open fires – Christmas trees don’t like heat. Once you have it in place remove the netting and let it settle overnight before decorating. It will need watering every day. For some reason that tends to be my job – they do drink a lot! Remember to turn off your lights before you water, for safety.
Recycling your tree
Your local council will usually have a Christmas tree recycling scheme. Depending on where you live, this can mean dropping it off locally or having it collected. You can also take it to the garden waste section at the tip.
Alternatively, you can use the tree as mulch. Either chop smaller branches into pieces and put these into the compost bin, or feed the tree through a shredder and leave the wood chips to rot down for a few months before using them as mulch. You can also use fallen needles as mulch for acid-loving plants. Another option is to cut up the tree and stack it in a shady area of the garden. Over time, it will rot down; in the meantime, it will become a habitat for wildlife.