People are only just realising why you shouldn't put Christmas trees in soil or sand

dailyrecord.co.uk:

With the big day coming up really hot, many Christmas fans will be wondering why their real trees are looking a little lacklustre compared to others they see on social media.And it's bad news for those who have plonked their beloved fir into sand or soil - but experts are here to remind you why you shouldn't do this next year, and why there are specific things you need to do in order to take care of your Christmas tree.TikTok user @plants_n_gardens showed them "repotting" their tree, filling a tree base with compost - but this is a red flag if you want a healthy tree.

William Mitchell, gardening expert and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery, said that there are 'correct' ways to water and care for your tree.

That's right – your real tree needs watering, so you shouldn't just be whacking it into a stand and hoping for the best if you want maximum results (and for the decorations not to be dropping like flies off the dry branches).Around eight to 10 million real Christmas trees are sold each year across the UK - but annoyingly, not all of them retain their fresh pine scent and green branches until the big day.

William said there are methods to keep your tree looking as fresh as possible. He said: "As soon as you bring your tree home and take it out of the net, you should cut one to two inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a large bucket or tree stand."This opens up the tree's pores, allowing it to easily absorb water.