Care of your Christmas tree

When your tree arrives home, cut about 1 cm off the base and stand it in a large bucket of water in a cool place out of the wind, until you are ready to decorate it.

The tree will absorb about 4 litres of water in the first 24 hours and 1 litre of water every day after that, so, water, water, water.

If the level of water goes below the base of the tree you will need to make a fresh cut, as sap will form a seal over the base which will prevent it from absorbing water.

There will always be some dead needles in your tree, however, your tree will stay fresh if you keep the water up to it.

After Christmas, when all the festivities are over, prune the branches off the tree and use the pine needles as mulch in the garden: plants love it!