Real Christmas Tree Care Guide
Caring for a real Christmas tree is surprisingly simple.
With a fresh cut, plenty of water and a sensible position in your home, your Hillview Christmas Tree should look beautiful throughout the Christmas period.
For our trees, we recommend planning on around three weeks at their freshest.
If you've scanned the QR code on your tree, start with the three important steps below.
Fresh Cut. Water. Keep It Cool.
If you remember these three things, you've covered the most important parts of real Christmas tree care.
Make a Fresh Cut
Cut approximately 2cm straight off the bottom of the trunk before placing your tree into the stand.
Put It Straight Into Water
Don't leave the freshly cut trunk sitting dry. Get it into plain fresh water immediately.
Keep It Cool
Avoid hot windows, direct sunlight, heaters, fireplaces and strong direct air-conditioning.
Picking Up Your Hillview Christmas Tree
All Hillview Christmas Trees are placed into a netting sock for transport. This makes them easier to handle and helps protect the branches on the trip home.
Once you arrive home, keep the tree somewhere cool and shaded if you're not putting it up straight away, and keep the base standing in water.
Please don't place your Christmas tree directly onto a hot ute tray. Australian summer temperatures can make a metal tray extremely hot. Bring an old towel, blanket or mat to place underneath your tree for the trip home.
What to Do When You Get Home
Getting your real Christmas tree settled takes only a few simple steps.
Choose Its Position
Decide where the tree will go before setting it up. Avoid large hot windows, direct sunlight, heaters and fireplaces where possible.
Make a Fresh Cut
Cut approximately 2cm straight off the bottom of the trunk. If the tree has been out of water for several hours, this step is particularly important.
Water Immediately
Put the freshly cut trunk straight into your water-holding Christmas tree stand.
Remove the Netting
Once your tree is secure in its stand, carefully remove the netting sock.
Let the Branches Relax
Give the branches a few hours to fall back into their natural position after travelling in the net.
Decorate
Once the branches have relaxed, decorate your tree to your heart's content.
Use a Sturdy Water-Holding Christmas Tree Stand
A good Christmas tree stand should securely support the trunk and hold a generous amount of water.
The base of the trunk needs to remain submerged, so a purpose-made stand with a water reservoir makes looking after your tree much easier.
We recommend the Cinco Christmas Tree Stand, which is designed specifically for real Christmas trees.
SHOP CHRISTMAS TREE STANDSThe Most Important Part of Real Christmas Tree Care
How much water does a real Christmas tree need?
Every tree is different, but a freshly cut Christmas tree can drink a surprising amount of water, particularly during its first few days inside.
Check the reservoir every day. During the first few days, checking morning and evening is worthwhile.
The most important thing is to make sure the water level never falls below the bottom of the trunk.
What should I put in Christmas tree water?
Plain fresh water is best.
You don't need sugar, soft drink, plant food, preservatives or other home-made additives.
Why has my Christmas tree stopped drinking?
If the stand has accidentally run dry, the exposed base of the trunk can begin to dry out.
If practical, remove the tree from the stand, make another small fresh cut from the base and place it immediately back into water.
Should I make another fresh cut after 10 days?
If you're keen to maximise longevity, another fresh cut after approximately 10 days can help.
We completely understand that this can be difficult once your tree is beautifully decorated, so don't panic if it isn't practical. Consistent access to water remains the most important thing.
Are Real Christmas Trees Hard to Look After?
No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about having a real Christmas tree.
You don't need complicated products or constant maintenance. Think of your Christmas tree a little like a very large bunch of freshly cut flowers.
Give it a fresh cut, plenty of water and avoid exposing it to unnecessary heat.
A well-watered real Christmas tree is remarkably easy to live with.
How Long Does a Real Christmas Tree Last?
How long will my Hillview Christmas Tree stay fresh?
For our trees, we recommend allowing around three weeks for the tree to be at its freshest.
How an individual tree performs will depend on its environment. A tree kept well watered in a sensible position will generally hold better than one sitting beside a hot sunny window or direct heat source.
Do real Christmas trees drop needles?
Some needle drop is completely normal. A real Christmas tree is a natural product.
If you're seeing excessive drying or needle drop, check the water reservoir first and consider whether the tree is sitting somewhere particularly hot.
Where is the best place to put a real Christmas tree?
A normal indoor room is absolutely fine. You don't need to keep the tree somewhere unusually cold.
Simply avoid direct heat where possible, including fireplaces, heaters, strong direct sunlight through glass and strong air-conditioning blowing directly onto the tree.
What if I'm not putting my Christmas tree up straight away?
Keep it somewhere cool and shaded, with the freshly cut base standing in water until you're ready to bring it inside.
Avoid leaving the tree lying dry in direct sunlight or sitting in a hot enclosed area.
Because Christmas Only Comes Once a Year
There's something very different about bringing a real Christmas tree into your home.
The fresh fragrance, the natural branches, the slight imperfections and the tradition of decorating it together are all part of the experience.
Your Hillview Christmas Tree has spent years growing in a paddock on our family farm before it reaches your home for one Christmas.
Every tree develops its own natural shape and character. No two are exactly the same — and we think that's part of what makes the real thing special.
And despite what people sometimes expect, caring for it is simple.
Fresh cut. Plenty of water. Keep it away from excessive heat.
It's a Real Tree — It's Not Designed to Be Perfect
We take great care to grow and freshly harvest your Hillview Christmas Tree, but we can't guarantee exactly how an individual tree will respond to every home environment.
Real Christmas trees are natural. Their branches won't all be identical. Their shape won't be manufactured. They may drop some needles as they settle into your home.
Keep it watered, enjoy that beautiful fresh-tree aroma and make the most of having the real thing in your home for Christmas.
Real Christmas Tree FAQs
Do I need to put sugar in Christmas tree water?
No. Plain fresh water is all your Christmas tree needs.
Should I cut the Christmas tree trunk on an angle?
No. Make a simple straight cut across the bottom of the trunk.
How much should I cut off the bottom of my Christmas tree?
Around 2cm is enough to expose a fresh surface before placing the tree into water.
Can I put my Christmas tree near an air conditioner?
A normal air-conditioned room is fine, but avoid having strong direct airflow blowing continuously onto the tree where practical.
Can I put my real Christmas tree near a fireplace?
We recommend keeping your tree away from fireplaces, heaters and other direct heat sources.
When should I decorate my real Christmas tree?
Once your tree is secured in its stand, remove the netting and allow the branches a few hours to relax back into their natural position. Then decorate as normal.
Is a real Christmas tree messy?
A small amount of natural needle drop is normal, but a fresh, well-watered tree is generally very easy to live with. A quick vacuum around the base from time to time is usually all that's needed.
What is the best stand for a real Christmas tree?
Choose a sturdy stand with a water reservoir large enough to keep the bottom of the trunk submerged. A purpose-made water-holding stand makes caring for a real tree much easier.
Fresh Cut. Plenty of Water. Enjoy Christmas.
Real Christmas trees aren't difficult to look after. Keep yours hydrated, protect it from excessive heat and enjoy the fragrance, character and tradition of having the real thing in your home.
SHOP REAL CHRISTMAS TREES