Make a straight cut across the base, taking 2cm off the stump before you place it into a stand with water. This removes any dried sap that might prevent the tree from absorbing water.

Place the Christmas Tree in a stand that can hold at least 4 litres of water as well as your tree.

Check the water level daily. The tree may require watering multiple times a day for the first few days. Plain water is all that’s needed to keep your real Christmas Tree fresh.

Place the tree away from sunlit windows, television sets and other heat sources as they make your tree dry out faster.