Whatever your reason for buying one – trying to be eco-friendly, needing a small tree, nice decoration, etc., it’s a safe bet that you won’t want to get rid of it right after Christmas. On the contrary, you’ll want it to last as long as possible, preferably until next Christmas. We’ll give you advice on how to do it.
Don’t be fooled
First of all, buy a quality tree that will last. It pays to find a reputable seller who hasn’t potted the trees just before selling them. It is very important that the tree grows right in the pot from the start and is not pulled out of the ground and cut down before being potted. When choosing, also look not only at the quality of the tree but also the species – generally silver spruce is recommended, which should withstand the sudden change in temperature when moved.
Monitor temperature carefully
After purchasing, the tree should be placed in the basement, for example. The ideal temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius. It should then be moved to the living room just before decorating, and the room for the tree should not be too warm, 20 degrees Celsius is suitable. It is therefore valid not to expose the tree to excessive temperature shocks. Therefore, do not place it near a radiator. Water your tree, but do not overwater it. It should be placed outside again soon after Christmas Eve. Do not exceed 10 days, which is the limit for its survival in the heat.
Move it out gradually
Trying to avoid temperature shocks also applies when moving your tree out of your home. At first, place it back in the basement where it will get used to the cooler temperature. Once it has acclimatised, you can plant the tree in the soil with its pot and dig it up again the following year. The process can be repeated several times until the tree is bigger and more established, after which it will certainly survive in the soil without a pot. If you do not have a garden, place the Christmas tree on the balcony just after the New Year. Wrap the pot with polyester and fill the gaps with rags or newspaper to keep the roots warm. You can look after it all year round.