Kelleher's Christmas Trees
Boleybeg, Brannockstown, Co. Kildare

"Choose and cut" retail Christmas  trees

How to take care of real Christmas trees

  Real Christmas trees, like real flowers, will require a certain amount of care and attention to obtain the maximum enjoyment and longevity from them. While most Christmas trees sold in Ireland are "non-shed" (Noble Fir and Nordmann Fir), it is also important that they should not be allowed to dry out. Dried out Christmas trees look awful and are a serious fire hazard. To prevent drying out, follow these guidelines:

• Try not to buy your Christmas tree until you are ready to set it up. In many countries (e.g., France) the Christmas tree is not set up until Christmas Eve and taken down after Jan. 6.
• After you bring your Christmas tree home, keep it in a cool place, if possible in water, until you are ready to set it up and begin decorating it. The tree may be kept outdoors, but in such a way that it will be shielded from the the sun and the wind. An unheated garage, or porch, or patio will do fine.
• Set it up in a cool area (less than 15 centigrade).
• Place it in a "water stand".

  If you are buying a "water stand" for the first time, it's a good idea to select one that is larger than what you think you might need; one that has a wide base (at least 60 cm diameter), that will hold a tree with a wide butt (at least 15 cm diameter),  and that has a capacity to hold at least 7 litres of water. Remember that the butt of the tree will reduce this capacity by as much as 3 or 4 litres.

Immediately before standing your tree in the water stand, you should make a fresh saw-cut, straight across the stem, at least 3 cms above the original cut . This fresh cut allows the tree to absorb water easily.

 You will be surprised how much water your tree will absorb. Initially, the tree may require 3 litres or more of water in the first day or two. After that, expect that the tree will absorb 1 litre or more per day, depending upon its size. Do not let the water level drop below the bottom of the stem. When that happens even for a short period of time, there is a risk that the tree will lose the ability to take up water. After Christmas you can put your tree to the "blow-torch test" to confirm that it was properly cared for. Take the tree outside and direct a blow-torch at the branches. If it has been properly watered, it will not sustain combustion!

 

 

 Most people set up their Christmas tree using a "screw in" stand. This stand simply screws into the base of  the tree and it is very easy to stand the tree.
If a hole has not already been drilled into the base of your tree, drill a hole in line with the leader (use a 6mm drill bit for a 12mm screw) and screw the stand into the tree right to the base of the screw. Stand the tree upright. If it is leaning to one side, put your foot on the leg on the side towards which it is leaning; grip the tree at chest height and push it gently away from you until it is upright.
Set up your tree as far away as possible from sources of heat :-  fireplaces, radiators, vents, etc. This will slow the drying process and is also a safety precaution.

 Useful information on the care of your tree can be obtained from the following sites.
http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/christmas-tree6.htm
http://forestry.about.com/od/christmastrees1/ht/fresh_cut_xmas.htm
http://www.coillte.ie/businesses/christmas_trees/useful_information/

  Finally, do not forget to unplug tree lights before going to bed and whenever the tree is unattended.