With Christmas just days away, the majority of us will have our trees up by now and there’s no doubt you’ll want to keep it looking its best during the countdown to Christmas.

The truth is there are a few things you could be doing that are affecting the quality of your tree without even realising, such as keeping them near a heat source and using traditional Christmas lights instead of LED ones.

Remember that being kept inside of the home is not the usual habitat for Christmas trees, so there are a few things you can do to help keep them in their best condition throughout December.

Providing them with fresh water daily and keeping a consistent temperature will be key to sustaining a healthy and good looking tree. Some resources claim that using additives such as sugar and bleach in your water supply will make the tree last longer and protect it from any infections – but this isn’t true at all.

Trees just need a good old daily fresh supply of water to keep them alive, adding anything else is unnecessary and a waste of time. For those who haven’t already decorated their tree, try to avoid hanging any ornaments on branches that seem particularly weak. Doing so could lead to an uneven looking tree and broken branches.

Seven ways to take care of your Christmas tree:

A fresh water supply

Trees can absorb a lot of water so make sure you’re giving your tree a fresh water supply each day. Check the water levels each day and ensure the trunk is submerged in water. 

Avoid additives

There are myths that items like sugar and bleach should be added to your tree's water to keep it healthier for longer but this isn’t true at all. Fresh water is all you need to sustain a healthy tree.

Keep it away from heat

To keep a healthy looking tree you’ll want to prevent it from drying out. Signs of a dry tree include brittle branches, needles dropping off and a musty odour. To prevent this, keep your tree away from any heat sources including radiators and fireplaces. Keep the tree in a room with a consistent temperature between 16 and 18°C.

Use LED lights only 

LED lights generate less heat than traditional fairy lights making them a better option to prevent your tree from drying out. They’re also much safer and pose less of a fire hazard compared to normal lights.

Check the branches

To avoid any breakage, try not to place any heavy ornaments on particularly weak branches. Even if the branches don’t break, you run the risk of your tree looking uneven.

Mist the needles

If the air in your home is dry, consider giving the needles a light mist with water every couple of days to help them retain their moisture. 

Avoid moving the tree

Once your tree is set up, try not to move it around too much. Trees are already vulnerable once we’ve taken them out of their natural and preferred environment and moving them can disrupt their water absorption and could stress any weak branches.