Citylife in Lichfield December 2022 January 2023

Your Garden in December
By Byron Lewis
We’re at the end of yet another year – I’m sure it’s going faster the
older I get! Christmas is well and truly upon us and you may be
looking for a real Christmas Tree… every year between 6 and 8
MILLION cut Christmas Trees are sold in the UK* and here in
Lichfield we sell around 500 of these here at the Garden Centre!
For many, Christmas starts with putting up and decorating a tree –
so how do you buy and how do you care for your tree? Firstly, buy
early so you get the best selection – don’t be the person who’s left
it until Christmas Eve or you might be out of luck! Even if you don’t
put the tree up straight away, as long as it is kept outside in the cool
and sat in some water it will be fine until later in December.
You’ll need a stand for your Christmas Tree – make sure it has a
reservoir which will hold water. A medium sized tree can drink a
couple of pints of water each day so make sure the stand is regularly
topped up or the tree may start to droop. If you already have a stand,
bring it with you when picking your tree – you can then check that
the trunk fits (otherwise be prepared to trim it to fit with a saw
when you get it home)!
Choose Nordman or Frazer Firs for the best needle retention –
these are the most popular types available. Norway Spruce can be
cheaper but are better in much colder positions like a porch or
outside your front door – in heat, they can quickly lose many of their
needles. Alternatively, pick a pot grown tree – with the right
treatment these can last for many years, just be sure that you leave
plenty of room for it to grow if you’re planting it in your garden after
Christmas!
Finally, after Christmas when your tree is taken down, why not take
part in the St Giles ‘Treecycle’ scheme, where in return for a
donation to the Whittington-based charity, your tree will be
collected and shredded saving you time and effort too! Visit St Giles
website for more details.
Lichfield Garden Centre's Christmas Shop is now open, with a huge
range of new and unusual Christmas Decorations, lights and
Christmas Gifts.
Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre at
Curborough Countryside Centre,
Lichfield. Tel: 01543 254306. Visit
www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk or find the centre on
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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*Source: British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association