Episode: #13 9/12/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus

The smell of Christmas is here. Nothing gets the Yuletide spirit going like the fragrance of fresh pine needles. Forget your plastic trees, how about choosing a real one to take home and decorate creating that very special Christmas feel in your house.

Visit a Christmas tree farm, like Coromandel Valley Christmas Tree plantation and you will be amazed at the rows and rows of Pines just waiting to be cut. Whilst they are sold in different sizes, the one & a half to 2 metres remains the most popular.

The majority of the trees are 3 to 5 years old and keeping them looking good is a full time job. Each tree is regularly shaped throughout the year. This light trimming helps the tree to bush out and maintain its traditional shape.

To keep a freshly cut tree lasting inside for weeks, there are a couple of important tips to follow to make sure you get the absolute best from your tree.

After getting your tree home, spray it down with water as this helps reduce moisture loss and then drop it into a bucket of water. Before bringing it inside, shake off the excess water by picking it up and stamping the base down a couple of times.

There are plenty of different Christmas tree stands around the freestanding type is simple, effective and importantly, it won?t tip over.

Water is critical to keeping your tree looking its best. A large tree can use up to one litre of water per day so make sure the bucket is always well filled. A single asprin per bucket of water will help the tree retain its needles for longer. Also, keep the water clean and stop slime growing by scooping out any fallen needles.

If you have a potted Christmas tree, then keeping this looking good from year to year can be a real challenge. However, there are a couple of ways to save your plant from the compost bin.

After Christmas is over, move your tree outside into a shady spot for a couple of weeks. This helps the plant slowly acclimatize. Next, find a sunny spot in the garden to put the tree. Dig a small hole and half bury the pot. Mound the remaining soil around the pot and cover the area in mulch. Covering the pot both helps the plant to retain moisture as well as keeping the sun off the plastic and stopping it going brittle As the plant grows, shape it 2 to 3 times to shape and let it fill out ready for Christmas. Also, remember to keep the plant regularly watered

So, if you haven?t got your Christmas tree up yet, then how about looking at either a freshly cut or living potted one for your lounge room to add a real festive fragrance and a merry Christmas to your home.

Christmas Tree Plantation
Coromandel Valley
63 Light Rd 5051
(08) 8270 2104