Expert reveals best and worst Christmas tree and crucial job of keeping them alive.

THERE’S nothing that says Christmas like a decorated tree.

Earlier this month, even Princess Kate and Wills got into the spirit by choosing one for their Kensington Palace home.

But by the time the Big Day arrives (when we don’t have ‘staff’ to look after them) all too often our fir trees look quite sorry and there are inevitably incredibly nasty needles all over the house.

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Choosing and caring for our Christmas trees is an art, and fortunately so RHS have released a set of guidelines for Sun Gardening readers.

When it comes to which type of tree to choose, think about the characteristics you like most, such as a strong scent, the color or whether it sheds fewer needles.

• Although beautiful, the Norway spruce has a relatively short ‘room life’ and is prone to prematurely shedding its rather prickly needles. But it does have a wonderful scent and small green needles.
• Nordmann fir is one of the most popular Christmas trees in Britain due to its ‘slow falling’ soft green needles with a beautiful blue-white underside and strong branches that can be elaborately decorated.
• Blue spruce has strikingly colored blue needles and is spinier than other trees. It can hold its needles better than the Norway spruce.
• Fraser fir is a slender option that takes up less space than other trees and has fragrant blue-green needles that fall slowly.
• Korean spruce grows slowly and is relatively expensive, with well-preserved shiny needles that are silvery on the underside.
• Lodgepole pines are bushier than other Christmas trees with long, deep green, pine-scented needles that sometimes bear cones

DECEMBER GARDEN WORK

TRADITIONALISTS like to plant their onion seeds on Christmas Day afternoon. But if you have better things to do that day, December is a good month to start.

• Sow the seeds in trays in a warm place – a heated greenhouse or sunny windowsill.
• Later, thin the seedlings to one/two plants per module.
• Harden off in spring and plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Space 5–10 cm apart, in rows 25–30 cm apart.
• Cover with fleece to protect against frost.
• Remove the flower stems so that the plant’s energy is spent producing bulbs.
• Harvest when the leaves begin to turn yellow/fall
• Plant next to carrots to deter carrot flies. Or accompanying flowers such as calendula and nasturtium to attract beneficial insects and lure predators.

• Ideally, choose a fresh, locally grown tree that looks healthy and green and sheds only a few needles.
• Chief Horticulturalist at the RHS, Guy Barter, says: “Don’t bring a tree indoors too early. If you buy it early, leave it outside in water until you are ready to decorate it.”
• Prepare the tree by cutting the bottom 25mm from the trunk and supporting it in a stand that will hold water. A tree should last four weeks if kept in a relatively cool area at least part of the time and if the water is topped up.
• Trees should be placed away from heat sources. They do not do well near radiators or other heat sources as this causes excessive moisture loss and needle drop.”

If you grow your Christmas tree in a pot, Ornamental trees expert Gemma Barton-Parker has the following tips for Sun Gardening readers.

If your tree has been outside, acclimatize it. Leave it in a sheltered spot in your garden or veranda for 24 hours before bringing it inside

Store your tree in the pot it came in to keep the root system intact.

Avoid placing it next to direct heat, such as a radiator or open flame.

If the soil feels dry, water, but do not drench.

Will use again next year! Plant in the ground or grow in a larger pot. To successfully move outdoors, acclimatize to the cold by moving it outdoors gradually.

Make sure the roots are watered and moist. Dig a hole wider than your tree pot and loosen the soil.

When transferring, make sure the root is flush with the top of the soil. Fill the hole with soil and press it firmly. Water the first year.

ALSO IN VERONICA’S COLUMN THIS WEEK

Top tips, news, a great competition and course of the week

NEWS! This Saturday (21st) is the day National Robin Day, a campaign of SongBird Survival to raise awareness of how we can help Britain’s songbirds through the winter. Share your favorite Robin stories and photos with #NationalRobinDay

TO RESCUE! Place your seeds in trays with Charles Dowding’s sixty-space box for £7.32 or just spend 55p on it potdirect.com.

WIN a beautiful one water feature thanks to our friends at Hydria – who are offering one lucky reader a starter pack plus planter worth £129. To enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/Hydriaplanter or write to Sun Hydria planter competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 30.59GMT.28.12..24 Terms and conditions apply.

TOP TIP If you have dogs, keep them away from poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, ivy and potpourri. – they can make them very bad.

VACANCY OF THE WEEK – Place your plant pots in a sheltered group to prevent frost. If you have banana trees, cut them back below the leaves and cover them with fleece.

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