Remember to trim your trunk!

I hope “Yule” find these top ten tips really “Yulesful” (ha ha) As far as I am concerned, Christmas isn’t Christmas without a real tree. From going to the forest and choosing it, to bringing it home and lovingly decorating it. But how do keep your tree in tip-top condition and get it to last the festive period? Here are my top ten tips:

1. First and foremost, pick a really bushy tree that doesn’t drop its needles, ideally a fir. Although they cost a bit more, they are worth it. If you can find one with a rootball, so much the better, as this will last longer.

2. Trim your trunk! Freshly cut Christmas trees need to drink straight away, so chop off an inch or two and put the tree in a bucket of water overnight before decorating. Contrary to popular belief, drilling a hole in the bottom of the tree trunk does not mean it will take water up any quicker, so don’t bother.

3. Put your tree in a suitable container, making sure it stands firm. Christmas trees easily topple over when laden with decorations – I speak from first hand experience!

4. Make sure you can water your tree easily and remember to top it up every day because it will dry out quickly. Start off with at least a gallon of water – Christmas trees are very thirsty.

5. Did you know it is beneficial to add some sugar to the water? But don’t do what flower arrangers do and add some aspirin – save that for a hangover.

6. Although it may be tempting, don’t put your fresh tree in soil or sand. This might seem a sensible thing to do, but it actually blocks the pores in the tree bark and will prevent it from drinking.

7. Don’t put your tree too close to any heating, for example a radiator or an open fire. This will make it dry out even quicker – and can be a fire hazard too.

8. Although it might be tempting as this is an easy option, don’t buy a Christmas tree that has already been set in a block of wood as the tree can’t drink. It will drop its needles and die very quickly.

9. Turn the tree lights off at night.

10. And finally, when the New Year comes, be environmentally friendly and recycle your tree for mulch.

In Cyprus, the Forestry Commission has trees on sale at all the stations around the island. They are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm up until 22 December. Pine trees, two to three metres are either eight or ten euros. Fir trees - which are the best – are around 50 euros for one to two metres.

The Paphos station is in Yeroskipou. You can call them on (00 357) 26 30 62 66 for further information.

Oh, and if you are looking for logs for your fire, the Forestry Commission will be able to help you with those too. Sometimes you can even cut your own.

And finally, if you really love trees, why not contact your local municipality in the New Year? There is a service now whereby the municipality staff will give come along to your property, supply and plant a tree for you free of charge. All you have to do is agree to maintain it.

Merry Christmas


Jackie
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Cyprusbuyingguide.com