Caring for your Tree

We do not start our main harvesting operation until December, so you know that your Coddington Conifer has been freshly cut, and so will be in the best possible condition to retain its needles until twelfth night.

You may have suffered in the past from trees imported from the continent which soon become quite bare because they were lifted sometime in October. A freshly-cut tree stands a much better chance. But even limpets need a regular soaking to remain healthy - and the same applies to your tree!

CUT TREES

  • If you have a sharp saw, cut one inch from the base to provide a freshly cut surface, as this will be better able to absorb water.

  • Erect the tree in a bucket or stand.

  • Keep topped up with water on a daily basis.

POT GROWN TREES

Keep the soil moist but not wet while in the house, and place away from any heat source.

After Christmas, if you wish to plant out then we suggest the following:

  • Remove the tree from the pot.
  • Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and around 3 inches deeper.
  • Mix the dug soil with 30% peat subsititute to provide organic matter for the roots.
  • Place some of the mixed soil to a level of 4 inches from the hole base.
  • Place the tree in the hole on this soil.
  • Refill the hole with the mixed soil and "stamp" to firm.
  • Ensure that the soil does not dry out throughout the following year.

POSSIBLE INSECTS

Although it is unlikely that there will be any aphids or other insects in your tree, current mild autumns may encourage some insects to overwinter as adults, and we are not keen to use precautionary insecticides. These insects will almost certainly be harmless to yourselves or your pets, but if this is a concern, then consider the following:

  • Unwrap the tree and store with the cut stem in water in a warm garage or utility room for 24 hours.

  • Then take it outside and give a robust shake or bang the cut stem on a solid surface to shake out any unwanted inhabitants.

  • If, after decoration, some insects do appear, then consider using a household insecticide. This MUST have a recommendation for "house plants" as others may damage the foliage. Ideally these will contain a product with ......thrin in the contents.