How to keep your Christmas tree sparkling all season

IT'S time to get that tree up – and if you are opting for the real thing this Christmas here are some top tips to keep it sparkling all season.

Mary Dimitrova, from Fantastic Services, advises that the tree with the most endurance is either a Douglas or a Nordmaan Fir, which will last about six weeks before withering.

This does depend on how well you take care of it, but lowering the temperature in the room generally slows down the drying process, keeping your tree fresher for longer.

Mary says: "A healthy tree should have bright and shiny needles.

"If you notice any grey patches, that's a sign of dehydration, which means that the tree isn't that fresh.

"If the tree is fresh, the needles shouldn't break off easily and should be difficult to try and pull off.

"If the tree is heavy then this is a good sign since as it means the tree is freshly cut and still contains all the water."

Without water to the tree's base, it'll dry out in just seven to eight days. The temperature of the water isn't that important, and you can't overwater your tree since there isn't a limit as to how much it can absorb.

Feeding it one litre of water (per three centimetres of the stem diameter) means that a fresh cut tree can easily consume four to five litres in 24 hours. Watering is critical so it's important to check the water levels daily and never let it go below the tree's base.

Giving your tree a good trim will reduce the number of water-requiring branches.

The best tip, however, to keep your tree bright all season is to place it in the darkest corner of a room and keep the space as cool as possible.

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