Tree has died

[treewoe]

For the first time in 30+ years my real Christmas tree has died.

Had it for 10 days and it's started to smell and going orangey from the top down. Kept its shape completely, but the needles fall really easily.

I know how to care for it - have never lost one. Do you think I should mark it is bad luck and get another one (not cheap £55) or do you think I could ask the Garden Centre to replace it?

I suspect I'll have to fork out for another one, just wondered what you thought?

Did you water it? We had a real one a few years ago and I accidently brushed past it and most of the pines fell off 🤣 it was like something out of looney tunes 🤣🤭

I would take a photo and try the garden centre first. You have nothing to lose.

There’s tons of cheap ones outside supermarkets.

If it's bad water the whole time id take pictures and speak to the garden centre

Should say had not bad, but can't edit on mumsnets primitive app!

Hand on heart - have cared for it the same way every year. Watered, placed away from radiator...

I know what you mean about the needles - if I gave it a big shake the top half would be completely bald! Nobody is allowed near it! A strong breeze and Christmas is over!

Will the garden centre give me a replacement or will they say I haven't looked after it? I don't know whether to try my luck?

No one can tell how the garden centre will respond.

All you can do is take a photo and ask.

Have you got receipt?

Does it have roots for replanting- you say it has died?
Or was it already dead and the needles have dropped?

@trtreewoe hey give it a go! you never know. it sounds like you've really looked after it! not like me and my partner, I dont know what went through our heads not to water it, but it was the first real one we'd ever bought 🤣 (and the last) xx hope you get a nice new one!

This is why I never get a Christmas tree until about 2 weeks before Christmas. Anything bought in early December has been cut for weeks and is far more prone to needle drop once brought into a warm house.

Also why you need to buy from a plantation, garden centre ones are often grown abroad and shipped over here having been cut in November.

If it's gone orange at the top that sounds as though there's something wrong.
Definitely go back to garden centre

Take pictures.
Ring up and say you're very disappointed as you've never had a problem with their trees b4.

I had this one year. They wanted me to take it back lol, I said it's nearly bare!
I'd kept the tag it had. Mine had a big orange hole in the centre of the trunk which must have meant it never really got any water.

See what they say?

I called the garden centre and they couldn't have been nicer about it. No pictures/receipt needed, please accept our apologies and collect a new one. Result! Although not looking forward to de-baubling/lighting, and sweeping the 80,000 pine needles that are going to fall off it as I do! Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas.

Yep doing the tree 2nd time is crappy.

Glad they were helpful!

@treetreewoe yay fab news! 🎄

I didn’t know you had to water them 😳
Never had one die on me

Put down a plastic tarp/ sheet (or tablecloth, shower curtain etc).
Shake all the needles off - as many as possible. There will be quite a pile.

Get a sturdy clippers and chop off the branches.

Take it all out in bits.

This is the easiest way to get a dead tree out of a home.

Wonder if the garden centre had a bad batch, sounds like it was diseased. Glad you got a replacement, such a pain re doing the lights though!