Ultimate Christmas tree guide – pick, decorate & dispose

Real, cut Christmas trees are easy to care for, but keeping them fresh is key. Read AnyVan’s ultimate guide on how to pick, move and take care of a real Christmas tree - Baubles at the ready!

Picking a Good Tree

If you can, buy a Christmas tree from a tree farm, where you can buy your tree while it's still in the ground. Stay away from trees with loads of dead or browning needles – they’re already past their prime! To see if your tree is still in good nick, stroke a branch on the tree to make sure that the needles don’t fall off.

Most trees are sold in netting, which you should leave on so that the branches stay tightly bundled. No net? Shake the tree to rid it of loose needles, then wrap it in a blanket or tarp.

To avoid wind damage when driving, arrange the tree so that the stump end faces the front of your vehicle.

If you do not have a roof rack, AnyVan can provide a service which will transport your Christmas Tree home. We really do move anything, anywhere!

Making Space in Your Home

Pick the perfect spot in your home. Keep your tree away from the radiator, it may dry out your tree prematurely. Corners are good places to put trees because it keeps the tree safe from knocks and bumps. If you'll be using lights to decorate your tree, place the tree close to a plug socket.

Mounting the Tree

Prepare the base of your tree. Using a small handsaw, cut about a half inch to an inch off the bottom to allow it to soak up water. Mount your tree within eight hours of cutting the base. The tree should need around one litre of water for every inch in trunk diameter. Allow the tree to sit for a while to "settle" into its shape before decorating – and keep the pesky cat away from it!

Decorating the Tree Safely

Decorate the tree. For many, this is where the fun begins – until you find out that a bulb has broken. Check each string of lights to ensure that the bulbs are working and that the wires are not fraying. Place small and fragile ornaments out of the reach of small children and pets to prevent accidental breakage or ingestion – the cats back at it again!

Taking Care of the Tree

Water the Christmas beast daily! Regular water is good for the tree's life span. Make sure you never let the water level go below the base of the tree. It is a good idea to check for sap that has leaked from your tree onto nearby furnishings or floor coverings. You don’t want any nasty sap-rises do you? Use a dustpan and brush to collect the fallen pine needles. Get the kids to do this. If they refuse, tell them Santa isn’t coming.

Disposing of the Tree

How do you remove a Christmas tree without destroying the house? Make sure you don’t knock any pictures of the wall!

- Take off all of the ornaments and lights
- Buy a plastic drop cloth - the bigger the better!
- Spread out the plastic on the floor and place the tree in the middle of it
- Wrap the tree in the plastic like you are giving it a hug goodbye
- Tie at the top so the tree is completely covered

Your tree has given you its life and soul this Christmas, but it’s now time to part ways. If your council has a tree collection program, make use of it. If you have room in the garden, you can leave your tree there until Spring, when you can chip it into garden mulch.

How long does a freshly cut Christmas Tree last?

A freshly cut tree, kept well supplied with water, will last about a month. All Christmas trees will begin to lose needles as they dry out, so keep that bad boy hydrated!

If you need a helping hand getting your large Christmas tree back home, get in touch with AnyVan today for a free quote!