Tradition dictates that the Twelfth Night is the best time to take down your festive decorations. Here are a few simple steps that will help you take your real tree down cleanly and easily.

Remove and Store your Decorations

Carefully remove your decorations and lights from your tree. Ok, so it’s never as much fun taking them down as putting them up but it’s worth taking the time to sort and store them tidily. This ensures they wont get broken and makes it much easier when you come to get them all out again the following year.

Empty your Tree Stand

Hopefully you have been keeping your tree well watered through the festive season so don’t forget to check the water level in your stand and remove any remaining water. This will avoid any spillages when you tip the tree on its side to take it outside.

Wrap your Tree

As you take your tree out there will be some unavoidable needle loss, use an old sheet or blanket to wrap round your tree as you carry it out.

Trunk First!

When you are ready to take your tree out, lead with the trunk and you will find it much easier to get your tree through doorways. If you have some gardening gloves you can wear these when handling the tree.

Recycle or Reuse Your Tree

Real Christmas trees are totally recyclable. As Christmas comes to a close and we take all our decorations down please don't forget to dispose of your tree responsibly. There are many ways your real Christmas tree can be recycled and reused. Here are our tree recycling ideas.

After Christmas, pot grown trees can either be planted out with a very good chance of success or they can be left to grow on in a pot for a few years and brought inside at Christmas. Don’t forget to care for your pot grown tree throughout the year.