Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
7th December 2019
Tree Trends
Apparently, this year’s Christmas tree trend is the ‘parasol tree’, with Argos reporting a 5900% increase in the number of orders for their model over the past year.
Basically, the parasol tree is a small version of a traditional Christmas tree shape but with an elongated trunk (lower branches removed) and therefore resembling a parasol. Apparently its popularity has stemmed (pun intended) from families with cats or toddlers, as the lack of low branches means fewer broken baubles and the tree less likely to be pulled over.
Another style gaining popularity is the ‘half tree’ – preferred by people who are limited with space. The flat-backed tree can be displayed tight against a wall but still gives the illusion of an extravagant tree from the front. Bizarrely that reminds me of my nan only cleaning the front of her shoes because she couldn’t see the back!
The ‘upside down tree’ is still popular since being introduced to the market a few years ago, with the appeal being more floor space. I’m not quite sure where you put the fairy though!
There are, of course, artificial trees of every colour, with black being the most popular last year, and contemporary (and expensive) wooden trees – no jokes about trees being made of wood, please.
Christmas tree wall stickers, which as the name suggests are simply large flat images of a Christmas tree, stick to the wall and have 12 hooks to hang your lights and decorations on. Apparently they are loved by people who don’t have room for the real thing and are a favourite for kid’s bedrooms. Another good choice for young children is the felt tree, which also sticks to a wall and comes with stick-on decorations which can be altered as often as they like and will hopefully keep them away from your ‘grown-up’ tree.
Real Trees
Most real, or cut, Christmas trees are displayed without keeping them watered but it is amazing how much longer they will last if you keep the tree stand filled with water – safely, of course! You don’t want a tree being pulled over by kids or cats anyway, but especially not if it’s standing in a gallon of water.
When you buy your real tree, re-cut the base of the trunk, which will have healed over with sap, and stand it in water in a shed or garage for a few days before bringing into the house. This way the temperature change won’t be as much of a shock for it and it will be in less of a hurry to shed it’s needles.
A cut Christmas tree can absorb as much as a gallon of water when first cut and will get through a pint or two per day afterwards. Being watered will also help keep the tree fragrant – and that’s something, despite all the technology, you won’t get with an artificial tree. Yet.
Fun with Foliage
One of my favourite endeavors at this time of year is ‘Christmassing’ sorry-looking tubs, window boxes and even hanging baskets. I simply cut large sprigs of evergreen foliage, rose hips, holly, ivy, teasels and whatever else you can find that’s suitable from the garden, and just push the cut stems into the compost (see photos). Keep the compost damp and the foliage will last well over the festive season. You can keep it all natural or spray flower heads like hydrangeas and teasels whatever colour you like to add some ‘bling’. You could also add a few cyclamen, or something similar from the garden centre for spot colour.
If you have to cut the bottom branches off your real Christmas tree to get it in the stand, tie the spare branches together with ribbon and hang on doors or walls, create a wreath by using a thick wire ring base, or cut into small sections and push into an oasis cone to make a mini ‘Christmas tree’ for table decorations.
Ivy strands and pieces of holly can be put over pictures and door frames or laid along the mantelpiece, but be careful they can’t fall onto wood burners or fires.
Pine cones make great decorations too. Fill a large jar or vase with pine cones and fairy lights for a festive focal point, or wire them and add to swags, hang on the tree or put place names in the open cones at the dinner table. The cones can be sprayed different colours and/or dipped in glue and glitter for extra sparkle, which is also a good holiday project for little creative fingers.
Let There Be Light
I am a huge fan of solar lights in the garden all year round but at this time of year they are definitely the quickest and easiest way to bring Christmas into your garden.
Drape strings of fairy lights over shrubs, small trees and even fences and trellis work, and decorating the porch with them will bring a smile to your face each time you come home. It works for me!
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