Care of
Christmas Trees
at the retailer
It is important to understand that when
unloading trees from pallets there will be some loose needles when taking
the net from the trees. This is entirely due to the netting and transportation
process and should not be regarded as inferior quality trees.
Our advice is to shake the tree when "denetting" so that these
transit needles are dislodged. To avoid damaging the branches, the trees
ought not to be unwrapped if the temperature is below zero.
The customer should be told how to get the most out of their tree. (Below
are some handy hints).
Care
of the tree
It is part of the life cycle of the conifer tree that it sheds needles
and they will accelerate that shedding particularly if they dry out. Some
trees do so more quickly than others. The best way to ensure satisfaction
is to care for the tree whilst it is in your home. A tree should be treated
like any plant being brought into a warm, dry atmosphere.
Cut trees
After you have bought your tree it should be kept outside in a cool shaded
place, preferably standing in water, until it is required indoors. Before
bringing the tree indoors it is an advantage if about half an inch is
cut off the butt in order to open up the pores of the tree. Mount it in
a water-holding stand, and place away from direct heat and radiators.
Keep the container topped up with water every day; you will be surprised
how much it needs.
Trees with bare roots, containerised
& potted trees
These are trees which have been extracted with their roots. This is usually
only possible with the smaller trees. The small roots break off and no
soil comes with the larger root system. They should be freshly harvested.
It is best to soak the roots in water before potting the tree in moist
earth.
The earth should be kept moist. These trees will last longer if they are
kept away from direct heat and radiators when they are brought indoors.
There is a slight chance that these trees will survive if planted out
after Christmas. They should be watered very well.
Container grown and living trees
These are trees that have been grown for at least one season in their
pots. It is often possible to lift the whole root system out of the pot
and see closely woven root which has grown in the pot. The trees themselves
should look fresh. The trees will be small and seldom more than three
feet tall. The trees should be watered and cared for as for any house
plant .
After Christmas they can either be planted out with a very good chance
of success or they can be left to grow on in their pot, but it is much
better in this case to re-pot the tree in a larger pot. It is seldom possible
to re-pot trees in this way for more than one season. |