LOOKING AFTER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

One of the few businesses to still grow Christmas trees is St Bridget Nurseries in Exeter.It dedicates about an acre of land at its Clyst St Mary nursery to growing mostly Norway spruces. Although this variety is the most traditional and usually the cheapest choice, it has fallen from favour as it tends to shed needles quite heavily (the secret is to keep them well watered and away from radiators). The nursery also grows a small number of Nordmann fir, which hold their needles more but is far more expensive because it is much slower growing.

All live Christmas trees – whether they’re cut or potted –benefit from being kept out of doors for as long as possible. When you bring them indoors, position them in as cool a place as possible – and certainly away from sources of heat – such as near fires or radiators. If they dry out they will start to look tired and drop their needles. Even Nordmann and other non-needle-drop trees will look better and last longer if they’re kept watered.

Potted trees should be watered regularly so the compost doesn’t dry out. Cut trees can be stood in self-watering stands and the reservoir topped up daily. To help improve water uptake, remove the bottom inch or so of stem from cut trees before bringing them indoors. And you can help even further by spraying all live Christmas trees with an anti-desiccant – such as Spray ‘N’ Save – before moving them indoors.

St Bridget's also sells holly wreaths - made by hand at the St Bridget Floristry Department - and bunches of holly and mistletoe. St Bridget Nurseries is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm, Sundays 10.30am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Eve 10am to 4pm). Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.