Christmas trees – without the needle

30 November 2011

Every year, Ambius installs and decorates more than 1800 real and replica Christmas trees in shops, hotels, reception areas and even football clubs across the UK. From the tallest at 29ft to the smallest at just 24 inches, the design team at Ambius know how to cut a dash with a tree to last the Christmas season.

Top tips from Ambius for the perfect Christmas tree

1. Whether real or replica, keep decorations to the same colour palette to create a cutting edge look
2. A living tree is ideal – as long as you water it, you can re-pot it in the new year and have a tree ready to use next Christmas
3. Don’t dismiss replica trees because you love the scent of a real tree – there are some great Christmas scents available that will create the aroma without the associated hassle of a real tree
4. If you opt for a real tree that’s been cut, a Nordman Fir or Scots pine are good options as they tend to drop less needles. Make sure the branches are showing no signs of stress such as brown needles, they should be soft and flexible
5. Keep your tree outside in the cool, preferably undercover and in water until you are ready to bring it inside
6. Before bringing in, saw about 2cm off the base to aid water absorption - the more water it can absorb, the less likely it will be to drop needles
7. Make sure the stand you put it in has enough room for you to add water. If you don’t use a specially designed stand for a tree, use a bucket and some stones or rocks wedged in to keep the tree in place
8. Use a stand that keeps the tree secure and allows for daily watering – you can buy specially designed stands for trees or use a container and wedge in with stones
9. Some people place the base of their tree in a large plastic bag which they disguise with presents around the base – the bag is then lifted over the tree when it’s ready to be recycled, catching any needles in the process
10. Homes are hot places for trees so to give your tree as much life as possible, keep it away from radiators or fireplaces
11.
Jeanette Van Roy, MD of Ambius says “There’s nothing worse than a limp and skeletal Christmas tree that showers needles on the floor at the slightest touch. Replica trees have come on leaps and bounds and offer a no fuss solution that can make a real statement but nothing beats a real tree and with our top tips, a Christmas tree should easily last right up to twelth night.