{"id":3781,"date":"2015-12-23T14:58:03","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T13:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wood-finishes-direct.com\/blog\/?p=3781"},"modified":"2022-11-10T10:06:13","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T10:06:13","slug":"life-after-christmas-for-christmas-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wood-finishes-direct.com\/blog\/life-after-christmas-for-christmas-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Life After Christmas for Christmas Trees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not long now until the fat man with a red suit and a big sack comes down the chimney, but only if you’ve been good, and where does he leave the presents? Under the Christmas tree of course. And what would the festive Season be without a beautiful decorated tree in your house? It\u2019s an age old tradition first used in this country when Prince Albert (Queen Victoria\u2019s husband) had one erected in Windsor Castle in 1841, and where many traditions have come and gone over the centuries, decorating the Christmas tree has remained one of the most significant must do\u2019s at Christmas.<\/p>\n

\n\"The<\/a>
The History of Christmas Trees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Real or Artificial<\/h2>\n

The big question though, is do you prefer a real or an artificial Christmas tree? For me, it\u2019s got to be real! The smell of pine and the idea of bringing the outside in has always appealed to me. It’s also a much more environmentally friendly option. Sourced locally means no export pollution, and artificial trees are generally made from materials such as PVC which is non renewable or recyclable. And so every year in the middle of December, I and my family head out to a local farm to pick the tree that we will garnish with the glass ornaments and tree decorations that have been collected and cherished over the years.<\/p>\n

Wherever you live there is bound to be local supplier of organically and locally grown Christmas trees. And depending on your budget you can get a great tree, ranging from just 3 ft right up to 10 ft if you have the space. It\u2019s always worth doing your research before heading out and getting recommendations from other people about who to go to and what type of tree to get, so you know exactly what you are looking for. For example, do you want a tree that is potted? The advantages of a potted tree are that if you look after it over the festive weeks, the needles shouldn’t drop and you could even keep the tree in the garden for years to come. But remember, it will continue to grow until it is too big for the pot, and I have known people to plant their trees in their gardens and 20 years later have a giant spruce taking over.<\/p>\n

\n\"Finding<\/a>
Finding locally sourced Christmas Trees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Or are you looking for a tree that you can dispose of after the festive season. And how long do you want the tree to be in use for? If it’s not potted then at some point the needles will start to drop. You will still need to take care of it by giving it regular water. So getting your tree too far away from Christmas could mean that by the time you reach the big day your tree could look somewhat sparse. The type of tree comes into play here as well. The most popular over the last few decades has been the Norway Spruce. It is a good budget Christmas tree that is popular because of its colour and shape. But in recent years, the Nordman Fir has begun to take over because of the way it retains its pine needles.<\/p>\n

\n\"Picking<\/a>
Picking the right Christmas Tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Caring for your tree once you have chosen it is paramount. Your tree is a plant and like any other plant it needs water. The base of the trunk will naturally create a resin seal within 4-6 hours and this will prevent the tree from being able to absorb the water that it needs. So, when you get home, cut across the bottom of the trunk to create a fresh base and then place it into water. Your tree stand must hold enough water for the size of your tree and you should never let the water drop below the base of the trunk. If it does dry out you may need to make another cut across the bottom, which of course could be a problem if the tree is already decorated.
\nIf you can, avoid putting your tree near to any heat sources to prevent it drying out quicker. Dried out trees also become a bigger fire hazard.<\/p>\n

\n\"Your<\/a>
Your decorated Christmas Tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recycling your Christmas Tree<\/h2>\n

When festivities are over, it\u2019s time to take the decorations down for another year. For many in the gloominess of January, this is a somewhat reflective time, and every year I see sad looking Christmas trees dumped in the front garden and by the side of roads, waiting to be taken up the local waste disposal depot. But there is so much more that these trees can give yet and here are a few up-cycling ideas for what you can do if you don\u2019t to waste the tree that has looked truly beautiful in your house for the last few weeks.<\/p>\n