Former royal gardener Jack Stooks knows all about keeping Christmas trees looking their best
There’s a key date you should put your tree up(Image: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia via Getty Images)
King Charles’ former gardener reveals the exact date to put up your Christmas tree and where you should ALWAYS avoid placing it
Former royal gardener Jack Stooks knows a thing or to about how to make both your indoor and outdoor plants stay looking their best after working for the King for decades.
With Halloween and Bonfire Night behind us, many people are now turning their attention to Christmas, and the big day will soon be upon us.
While some love getting their decorations up as early as November to create a festive atmosphere, when is the right time to put up your Christmas tree?
Real trees are lush, fragrant, and full of character, but they don’t last forever. Put them up too early, and by December 25th, those full branches can start to look bare and tired.
It’s a magical time of year(Image: Tom Werner via Getty Images)
Speaking to Smooth Spins Casino – Smooth Radio’s gaming brand – King Charles’ former royal gardener, Jack Stooks, shares his expert tips for choosing the perfect Christmas tree and keeping it fresh throughout the holiday season.
First up, he explains the perfect time to get your Christmas tree – if you’re planning a real one for this festive season – and it’s bad news if you like the decorations up early. Jack’s advises waiting for as long as possible.
He said: “Ideally, your tree should go up as close to Christmas as possible. Traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas Day, so mid-December is perfect. These days, many people put their trees up on December 1st, or even in November, but that’s quite early, especially for real trees.
Jack shares his top tips for your Christmas tree(Image: Betway / Jack Stooks)
“Cut trees dry out quickly, much like cut flowers. Leave them too long, and by Christmas you’ll find more needles on the floor than on the branches! If you want a tree that lasts longer, consider a potted option. With regular watering and a cool spot, it will stay fresh for weeks.”
So, what’s the optimal time to get your real tree? Jack has given people to exact date to make sure it looks as stunning as possible for Christmas Day itself. He said: “Buy and decorate it about a week before Christmas. This way, it will still look beautiful for the big day and through to New Year’s. Aiming for around December 17th or 18th is ideal. It’s late enough to stay fresh but early enough to enjoy it for a while.”
But there’s one final trick Jack has for making sure your tree looks as good as possible for as long as possible – and that’s where it needs to be placed and how you need to care for it.
He said: “Keep it cool and away from radiators or fireplaces. Use a stand with water, topping it up regularly. For potted trees, keep the soil slightly moist. Position it near a bright window if possible, as light helps it last longer.”
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