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Original poster

Christmas tree mistake!

36 replies

pitcherscat · 11/12/2022 21:26

We got our first real tree last year. Had a real job trying to get it in the rubbish tree stand I bought, ended up chopping a huge chunk off the bottom and had to buy a new, much better tree stand. After several hours of strife though we had it looking lovely and it lasted really well, I loved it.

Got our second real tree last Sunday. Brought it home and were pleased to find it fit straight in the tree stand no bother (Krinner in case anyone is wondering). Decorated it straight away and had it looking lovely in a fraction of the time... However it's been dropping needles like a b*tch these last few days and baubles keep dropping off. Did a bit of googling and it turns out you're supposed to hack a chunk off the bottom so it can drink properly! So my question is, is it too late!? Or can we just take it down, hack a chunk off the bottom and then stand it back up and re-decorate it?

OP posts:
Marmaladesarnie · 11/12/2022 21:28

I have read that too, but we never do and ours have always lasted well. Sounds like a bad tree to me

fruitypancake · 11/12/2022 21:35

Have you got it to close to a radiator or fire perhaps?

NooneKnowsWhatItsLike · 11/12/2022 21:57

I never bother hacking a bit off. However I do take care to buy trees that have been treated to help prevent excessive dropping of needles. Never had an issue and been buying real trees for the last 10 years or so.

Tiredofthisshite · 11/12/2022 21:58

Yes you can hack a bit off now which will allow it to drink. Good luck!

mondaytosunday · 11/12/2022 22:01

Maybe. But next year look for a low drop tree like a nordman fir.

Mummyme87 · 11/12/2022 22:05

I have only ever had real trees and always get nordman fir. You should cut off at least 1inch from the trunk and put it immediately in water.

Shodan · 11/12/2022 22:10

I get a Norway Spruce, every year, and yes cut a bit off the bottom. Actually the people at the Christmas tree farm do it for you (and trim off any branches you don't want from the bottom too).

Put in a bucket of water outside for a day or two. Then brought in.

Positioned as far from the heat source (radiators) as possible and watered regularly.

Needle drop is minimal and they last for ages.

I wouldn't say that cutting off the bottom is the only thing that'll stop needle drop but it does help.

fannyfartlet · 11/12/2022 22:10

I think it's also to do with whether the tree experienced freezing temperatures before it was cut down. If not, they are more prone to losing needles. Not sure of the science behind this.

Shodan · 11/12/2022 22:12

Also, though- it depends when the tree was actually cut down. The farm we go to cuts them weekly I think, but some places cut them at the end of November and don't keep them in water. You might have got one of those.

Original poster
pitcherscat · 12/12/2022 18:42

Thanks everyone, it's getting worse by the day (maybe minute) so we're going to pull it down tonight and cut the bottom off. My only worry is there on't be any needles left once we've pulled all the baubles off, they're just dropping off when you touch it 😱

OP posts:
Alannahxx · 12/12/2022 18:45

You don't need to take it down, do you have a drill? You can drill some holes in the trumk around the bottom under the waterline that will allow it to drink water. I think if you take it down you will lose far more needles!

Original poster
pitcherscat · 12/12/2022 18:51

We do have a drill! I think that would be doable, we'll try that first, thanks!

OP posts:
Spliffle · 12/12/2022 18:53

Sounds like your room might be too warm after the cold it's been in.

WhaleInAManger · 12/12/2022 18:55

IMO it's still too long to Christmas for a fix like this to tide you through.

Dramatic but I'd be getting a new tree and relegating the droopy one to becoming an animal shelter in the garden for a few weeks.

MoanySloney · 12/12/2022 18:56

This is why I will always have a fake tree.

I got sick of pine needles everywhere with my parents trees

Sprig1 · 12/12/2022 19:01

It sounds like a tree that was cut weeks ago. Can you afford to replace it? I would be complaining to the place I bought it from.

crimsonlake · 12/12/2022 19:05

Personally it does not sound salvageable, I would replace. Out of interest where did you get it from?

Scottishskifun · 12/12/2022 19:05

Drill holes in the bottom and use 1 part lemonade to 3 parts water (yes lemonade it's weird but works!) should stop further drop. Make sure its not near a fire or radiator.

LuluBlakey1 · 12/12/2022 19:39

Might be too late if it is losing that many of its needles.

RedToothBrush · 12/12/2022 20:43

We never hack off a bit tbh.

This year we bought a cheap tree from Ikea. In the past we've splashed out and got Nordman. Last year we got an Aldi tree though and that was ok, so we thought we'd get another cheap one.

Never again. The difference is huge. It was sagging after a day.

I think a huge part is simply how fresh the tree is tbh.

oakleaffy · 12/12/2022 21:13

pitcherscat · 12/12/2022 18:42

Thanks everyone, it's getting worse by the day (maybe minute) so we're going to pull it down tonight and cut the bottom off. My only worry is there on't be any needles left once we've pulled all the baubles off, they're just dropping off when you touch it 😱

Sounds like you have a really ''Oldskool'' tree, they drop needles so much that the merest touch sends them floor~wards.

Nordmann Fir don't shed... they hang onto their needles even when completely dead.

pimlicoanna · 12/12/2022 21:16

I think you just don't have a non drop tree. We never hack ours and the pines never drop

Walrus6 · 12/12/2022 21:20

If it’s that bad on 12th December I’d be looking to take it back. I’ve had to un-decorate a tree a couple of times and it’s a hideous task!

jerryg · 12/12/2022 21:22

This has happened to me twice when I have bought trees from Wicks. Both times returned for refund and bought a new one elsewhere. Learnt my lesson now! Have you got the receipt?

AlwaysLatte · 12/12/2022 21:33

We always get Nordmans as they're non-drop. We have it in the hall as it's cooler there and a bigger space so we can get a larger tree. Always water it frequently. Living room tree is a potted one so that needs water too. Both are away from radiators or have the nearest turned off. It's surprising how much they drink

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