DOBBIES' Garden Centre in Morpeth and Ponteland are gearing up for one of the key dates in the festive calendar, officially known as Bring Your Christmas Tree Home Day.
The first Saturday of December (Saturday, December 3) is the most popular day for buying real Christmas trees.
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Starting on Saturday 3 and running to Friday, December 9, the garden centre is offering electric and hybrid vehicle owners 10 per cent off their tree when purchased in-store, with Club Plus Members able to secure a further five per cent discount, on top of their normal 10 per cent discount.
Dobbies' Morpeth and Ponteland stores offer a range of freshly cut and pot-grown trees, starting from £19.99.
Marcus Eyles, Dobbies' Horticultural Director and resident Christmas tree expert, said: "To ensure your Christmas tree is the right size, come equipped with the height, depth and width measurements of the area where you picture your tree at home. Make sure the area has a plug nearby, for your Christmas lights - corners are ideal - as it will keep your tree safe from knocks and bumps.
"Bringing a tape measure to the store and double checking the dimensions is a good idea to avoid any disappointment and save you a return trip to the store if you find that your tree is too big or small once you get it home. Dobbies' team members will also be on hand to help you decide what tree is best suited to your space. Fear not, if your tree is a little too big, you can always trim it to fit the space."
"All of our trees are netted once selected, so they are as compact as possible. For most cars, the tree will be too long to fit in the boot. I'd recommend attaching it to your roof rack if you have one and, if not, recline the front passanger seat. Insert the tip of the tree into the car first and rest the stump in the footwell. Use the safety belt to secure it in position so you can drive home safely."
"Once you have your cut tree home, keep it outside in a sheltered area, cut one inch off the base of the trunk and stand in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors, this will help reduce needle drop.
"Place your tree in its water holding stand and ensure the water reservoir is replenished on a regular basis. Your potted tree will be ready to slot straight away into your designated spot."
For more information on caring for your Christmas tree and choosing the right one for your home, visit https://www.dobbies.com/bring-your-christmas-tree-home.
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