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How to prevent Christmas tree needle drop

How to prevent Christmas tree needle drop

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Thursday, 9 December 2021 at 11:02 am

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You can't beat a real Christmas tree, but fallen needles and bare branches don't look particularly festive.

To prevent needle drop, there are several things you can do, including choosing Christmas trees that drop less needles, and following a few simple steps beforehand.

Don't forget to take a look at some of the ways to put an old Christmas tree to good use in the garden, once the festivities have ended.

Find out how to avoid Christmas tree needle drop, below.

For alternatives to a traditional Christmas tree, browse these festive suggestions.

You Will Need

Christmas tree
Christmas tree clamp
Bucket
Saw
Secateurs

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

Choosing a Christmas tree

When buying the tree, check that its needles are firmly attached to the branches. Look at the base of the tree where it was sawn and ensure it is pale. This means the tree is freshly harvested and will last longer than a tree which has been off its roots for a while.

Step 2

Nordmann fir Christmas tree foliage

Choose a good variety, such as the cone-shaped Nordmann fir or citrus-scented Douglas fir. They're more expensive than the traditional Norway spruce, but they hold their needles well.

Step 3

Allowing the branches to settle

Before you position and decorate your tree, take it out of its net wrapping and place it in a bucket of water in a cool, shady spot outdoors. This allows the branches to settle and rehydrates the tree. Give your tree a vigorous shake before taking it inside, to dislodge any loose needles.

Step 4

Sawing the bottom of a Christmas tree trunk

Saw a few centimetres off the bottom of the trunk to enable it to absorb more water. You can also score the bark roughly at the base of the tree, to maximise water absorption. If you use a water clamp to hold your tree, make sure it's big enough. Never peel off the bark to make it fit or the tree will dry out – water is only taken up through the tree in the layers just below the bark. Choose a cool spot indoors away from radiators and choose low-heat fairy lights.

christmas-tree-chippings-3

Ways to use an old Christmas tree

Shred the smaller branches and use the chippings as mulch
Cut the larger branches into shorter lengths and stack in undisturbed areas of the garden to create wildlife piles
Use the thickest part of the trunk to create bee hotels by drilling holes into the end of the trunk. Tuck in a sunny spot

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