Over recent years, scientists at the Forestry Commission discovered that it is possible to encourage a CUT Christmas tree to drink water and so prevent the drying out process that leads to the tree dropping needles.

The Christmas tree takes up water by capillary action in the same way as a cut flower. Just like a cut flower, it is absolutely essential that you put your tree in plain water (not a soil or sand mix) and keep that water topped up throughout the Christmas period.

A REAL Christmas tree should be treated like any cut flower or plant being brought into a warm, dry atmosphere. If you are not erecting your Christmas tree immediately, store your tree in a cool and wind-sheltered spot. This will open up the pores in the bark to allow water to be taken up by the tree via capillary action.

 As soon as possible after this, stand the Christmas tree in plain water, not soil or sand, in a bucket or a water holding stand.

Try to place you Christmas tree in its water-holding stand away from any direct heat. Keep the water topped up – a tree will drink between 2-3 pints a day of water. It is essential to keep doing this as once the water drops below the trunk, sap will reseal pores in the tree’s bark and prevent the tree from taking up any more water.