When it comes to Christmas trees, there is a lot to be said as to when you should start planning. In one of our most recent blogs, we looked at some of the most common times of the year when people decide to start planning for their Christmas tree. 

No matter the time of year, planning for your Christmas tree, whether it be immediately after Christmas or just a couple of weeks before, there are undoubtedly benefits of planning ahead. 

At Weston Sawmill, we stock Christmas trees in Staffordshire and Shropshire, so we know a thing or two about the perks of premeditated Christmas tree planning. So, let’s look at the great reasons to plan for your Christmas tree. 

Peace of Mind

Potentially the biggest advantage of planning for your Christmas tree is the fantastic peace of mind it offers you. 

Do you ever get that relaxing feeling when you have completed a task ahead of time or when you finally complete a task after you’ve been procrastinating? It’s a pretty great feeling. It feels like you have no cares in the world. 

When you plan, you know that the Christmas tree situation is sorted and you, therefore, exhibit this soothing feeling. 

You Can Focus On Other Things

Because Christmas is such a busy period of the year, time is very precious. It seems as though there is never enough time to fit and plan everything in. Luckily, when you get the Christmas tree planning out of the way, you have free time to focus on other things. Being able to focus your efforts on other tasks during the busy festive period is extremely valuable. 

You Can Ensure You Make The Right Purchase For You

If you do not plan and leave buying gifts until the last minute, you often end up making a panic purchase. This can lead to the purchase not fitting the intended purpose. This rings true when it comes to Christmas tree planning. 

When you plan ahead, you can ensure you make the right purchase for you. Accompanying this is the fact that when you buy your Christmas tree early, there is more likelihood of the tree you really want still being in stock. If you want to ensure you make the right Christmas tree purchase, you should plan ahead of time. 

We Supply High-Quality Christmas Trees

At Weston Sawmill we supply a wide range of Christmas trees to Shropshire, Staffordshire as well as surrounding areas. So why not contact us today? We are sure we will be able to help you. 

The festive season is just a few months away, and maybe it’s time you invest in a real Christmas tree.

For those of you hesitant to invest in a real Christmas tree, you need not worry. Real Christmas trees are a lot easier to maintain than first thought. Before you start worrying about hoovering up pine needles every day, remember we have Nordmann Fir that keeps their needles.

If you are still not convinced, read our latest blog below.

5 Reasons to choose a real Christmas tree

Good for the environment

Real Christmas trees are planted especially in our nursery to be sold for the festive season; meaning every tree planted simply sustains the real Christmas tree market.

The higher the demand the more trees are planted. Because of this; the Carbon Trust estimating that real trees are up to 10 times better for the environment than their artificial counterparts. In terms of environmental impact; it would take ten years of re-using a fake tree to break. In this time you could have just one real Christmas tree.

Because trees produce more oxygen, tree plantations and farms will help to improve the atmosphere.

Do it for the kids!

Every family has a designated tree decorator, either mum or dad, depending on the household. As for the kids, they could be itching at the chance to help, even if it is changed back afterwards.

Let’s face it, the tree will be ignored again until the presents start gathering underneath it.

This changes when you invest in a real tree. As you can make it part of your annual tradition to decide what tree type will match your fairy lights.
Children will often pay more attention to a tree they have helped choose; rather than one getting pulled out of your attic and/or storage space.

Being eco-friendly

Most faux trees are made of plastic. This means that when they get too tired and old to be propped up in someone’s living room they will be discarded and make their way to landfill. Remember fake trees can’t be recycled.

A real tree means that if it is discarded and thrown away, it is biodegradable and does zero net damage to the environment. You also have the option to compost your tree once you are finished with it.

Even if your tree ends up in green waste bins, it will more than likely end up as compost anyway.

The other option is to purchase one of our potted trees that keeps on growing year after year. You may need to cut it down to size eventually, but other than this it is low maintenance and saves more trees being chopped down every year.

Get the true smell of Christmas

Unlike faux trees, real Christmas trees give off a wonderful, subtle fresh pine needle smell, which can never truly be replicated.

Your nose will remind you of this fresh scent every day. If you have never really invested in a real tree before, you are truly missing out on one of the joys of the festive season.

Free up storage space

Some of us are lucky to have plenty of storage space at our disposal, however; others are not so lucky and will struggle to find space to store last year’s tree.

Even trees that can be dismantled into smaller parts can still take up a lot of storage room. If you live in a city or a property with limited storage space, purchasing a real tree is the best idea.

Even potted trees don’t take up too much space and can be kept on balconies or in your back garden until next year.

Get in touch with any questions

If you have any questions about Weston Sawmill’s range of Christmas trees; please do not hesitate to contact us now.

We offer Spruce, Nordmann Fir and potted Nordmann and Norway Spruce trees at our nursery based in Weston-under-Lizard, Shropshire.

Last year was extremely tough on everyone, with lockdowns and the pandemic to deal with – and many people decided to stretch the Christmas period out over a longer period of time. There were some cases, such as radio DJ Greg James who kept his Christmas tree up until March of this year!

Hopefully, this year will be completely different and we can all have a great festive season.

For this blog, Weston Sawmill will give you suggestions to mull over before spying the mulled wine in the supermarket.

Straight after Halloween?

For some people, Christmas decorations go up as soon as the 1st of November.
Data from some of the UK’s biggest retailers has revealed this in 2020, with a record number of customers seemingly decorating earlier than ever.

The stats also revealed that 40% of customers plan to decorate areas around the house they haven’t previously, such as hallways, stairs and outdoors.

The Tesco Christmas Report 2020 also revealed 2.4 million people stating they will decorate their home before December starts.

It depends if you buy a real Christmas tree

If you are buying a real Christmas tree this year (such as ones supplied by Weston Sawmill), you should consider putting it up around the start of December. A real Christmas tree will survive around four weeks, but if properly cared for it could last longer.

1st December

The start of December is always a popular choice for the start of the Christmas period, with many decking the halls as soon as 1st December. According to data from Tesco, 25% of people will have their trees up by this time.

Advent

Advent is the period before Christmas that celebrates the birth of Jesus and is very important in the Christian calendar. Tradition often dictates that Christmas trees are put up at the start of Advent which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

12 Days Before
For some they choose to put their decorations up 12 days before Christmas, meaning you will be turning your home into a winter wonderland from 13th December.

Get in touch for more information

If you have any questions about Weston Sawmill’s range of Christmas trees, please do not hesitate to contact us now.

After Christmas we find ourselves left with a bare tree that’s been sitting in our house throughout December. So what do we do with the tree now that the rest of our decorations are down?

We will offer some advice on this blog post.

No Longer a Tree

If you have decided that you no longer want to keep your tree, or even plant it outside, there are a number of other ways to use your tree in the garden.

Turn it into mulch
Unwanted Christmas trees can be used to make a great natural mulch to be used in your garden. Using mulch can prepare your soil for the heavy rain to come, a layer of mulch will help reduce the amount of erosion.
To turn your tree into mulch you will usually require a shredder. If you, or noone you know, has one you can lend, you can look into renting one. We recommend gathering any other by products from your garden that can also be shredded at the same time. The trunk itself may be too thick to shred, however, when it is sawn up and dried out, it makes great logs for the fire.

Use it as compost
Unwanted trees can make great compost for your garden (minus the trunk) just shred it down as much as possible and add it to the compost heap. Be aware that the needles can take a while to compost as they can be quite rubbery.

Use the needles to increase grip
Sprinkle your tree’s needles across slippery or prone-to-frost pathways.While it won’t completely remove the risk of ice, it will add some extra grip. Or sprinkle them on muddy areas to increase the grip there.

Use as an animal habitat
Many animals struggle with the harsh winter months. Turning your tree into an animal habitat can help them to survive this difficult time. Cutting branches off and creating little dens in the corners of your garden, can give smaller animals some refuge in the bad weather. And smaller scattered branches mean that birds can use these for their nests.

Create a bird feeder
Keeping your tree in the pot to ensure that it stays upright, you can decorate it with treats for the birds in your garden to enjoy. Some ideas include:
– Halve an orange and scoop out the flesh. Attach three or four strings through little holes in the side of the orange to create a hanging basket shape. Fill it with bird seed.
– Attach string to a pine cone, making a loop. Dip the cone in peanut butter then cover it in bird seed.
– Thread popcorn onto string using a needle and use it as ‘tinsel’.
– Mix suet with plenty of bird seed, squish it into cookie cutters and push the shapes out onto greaseproof paper. Partly unwind a paperclip and embed it in each shape to create a hook for hanging. Pop your shapes in the freezer to set.
– You can halve and hang up old fruit by attaching string – even if it is bruised or partly rotten. Apples, pears and other fruit will be appreciated by the birds.

Planting Christmas Trees

Environmental Charity Greenpeace encourages people to plant their Christmas trees after use. There are a number of real trees that are perfect for an added feature in your garden. So why not give it a go this year?
Firstly you will need to ensure that your tree has its root ball intact. The best root balls will be on those trees that have been raised in a pot as they will not have had the same damage as those that have been dug up and potted.
When removing your tree from the home, try to allow it adjustment time, so moving it into a garage or a green house before the great outdoors will allow it to adjust to the colder temperatures. During this time, ensure that it has plenty of water to keep it healthy. When it comes to planting day, ensure that you choose a warmer and dry day. Dig your hole to slightly wider than your pot. But no deeper. Your roots should sit no deeper than they did in the pot. Saturate your roots before you remove them from the pot, this will hydrate them and make the move easier on them. Fill the remainder of the hole with as much organic mulch as possible. Ensure that the solid around your tree is kept as moist as possible until the roots have taken hold. And you have one planted tree!

Recycle it

If you want the tree out of your home and garden, you can always recycle it. Many garden centres are happy to take old trees and will turn them into wood chippings. There are also conservation schemes throughout the UK that welcome old trees, speak to your local council to find out what schemes are running in your area. You may find some nature reserves or wildlife centres that will be happy to take them off your hands.

For more information on Christmas trees, please contact a member of our expert team. Weston Sawmill offers the finest range of Christmas trees for customers across Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Nothing is cuter than your dog posing in front of beautifully decorated Christmas trees for a seasonal snap – but remember they are not always a good mix.

Weston Sawmill is the leading provider of Christmas trees across Shropshire and Staffordshire with our years of experience vital when protecting your tree against pets.

Decorated trees using breakable ornaments and electric lights can be dangerous for dogs as they can be quite curious about the new tree in your home.

8 Steps to Protect Your Dog Around Your Tree

Don’t worry dog owners can still have Christmas trees, you just need to take some precautions. Read our 8 handy tips below on how to keep your dog safe around your Christmas tree –

1. Go Artificial – If a Christmas tree falls over on TV it is very funny but it is no laughing matter when it’s in your living room. One alternative is choosing a traditional artificial tree, with a quality stand to secure its base. Prevent injuries to curious pets by placing your tree in a corner and anchor it securely to the wall or ceiling. You can also create an ‘alarm’ to alert you if your tree is in danger. Simply place aluminium foil or a can filled with beans on the tree’s bottom limbs and if your dog starts nosing around the tree you will hear it in time to stop any accidents.
2. Begin With a Bare Tree – Before you decorate your Christmas tree, leave it up for a few days. This may help your dog get used to having a tree in the house, so they could be more likely to leave it alone when it is covered in lights and baubles.
3. Beware Electrical Cords – Bright and shiny lights are hard to resist, but they can be dangerous to your dog. They could get tangled in the wires or could be at risk of electrical shock if they are a chewer. If you put your Christmas lights on the tree, leave the bottom branches bare. You need to secure cords leading to and from the tree plus you can hide cords with the tree skirt or decorative package. Use adhesive-backed cord clips to keep them off the floor and out of reach.
4. Put Fragile Ornaments Higher Up the Tree – Your dogs tail (especially if they are a bigger dog) can be lethal to Christmas decorations. Broken decorations could be a choking hazard or lead to paw or mouth injuries. Also, keep your family heirlooms safe, and put fragile ornaments higher up your tree. Depending on how rambunctious your dog is, you may consider leaving the bottom third of the tree bare.
5. No Food on the Tree – Chocolate ornaments and candy canes make beautiful decorations but they are a no-go for dogs. Chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods for dogs, so make sure it is kept out of their reach at all times.
6. Keep Toxic Plants Out of Reach – Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are potentially toxic for dogs. If you decorate your Christmas tree with any of them; keep them out of the reach of your pets. Alternatively, look for artificial versions which are much safe for your dog. Pine needles are not particularly toxic but they are small and sharp, leading to injuries to your dog’s mouth and intestines. If you decide to have a real Christmas tree, make sure you hoover up fallen needles every day.
7. Keep Candles off the Tree – Candlelight is great around Christmas time but open flames and dogs do not mix. Flickering candlelight, if you are decorating with candles place them on secure shelves away from your dog. The flickering effect can be achieved on Christmas trees using clip-on LED candles.
8. Save Presents for Christmas Morning – Sometimes dogs are more curious about what’s under the tree than the tree itself. Keep your Christmas gifts safe and protect your dog from ingesting something that may not agree with them, by saving presents for Christmas morning completely safe from dog slobber.

Christmas Trees Available from Weston Sawmill

Weston Sawmill offers Nordmann Fir, Potted Nordmann, Potted Norway Spruce, Spruce and traditional Christmas trees from our nursery.

Contact us today to reserve your tree ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s one of those age-old questions; what do cats find so alluring about Christmas trees? As one of the leading suppliers of Christmas trees across Shropshire and Staffordshire, we will attempt to answer this question in our latest post.

The presence of a Christmas tree can sometimes awaken the cat’s five senses and fuel their natural instincts, such as –

Curiosity – How does this new tree smell, taste and feel?
Hunting – The desire to climb, scratch and ultimately hunt
Secluded Views – The preference for high and secluded views
New Toys? – All of those bright, sparkly, crinkly and irresistible ornaments may look like toys to feline eyes
A New Play Area – Is this indoor tree a ready-made activity centre? Cats can be very lazy in winter meaning they are less inclined to go outside for entertainment and exercise

5 Ways to Distract Your Cat from Christmas Trees

While there is no quick fix to prevent your cat from being intrigued by your Christmas tree, we have put together these handy tips which can help –

1. Pick the Right Tree – Real and artificial trees both have their advantages and disadvantages, but choosing an artificial tree is less risky when it comes to cats. If you prefer a real Christmas tree, precautions will need to be taken. Weston Sawmill would recommend covering the container holding the water for the tree and keep plenty of water bowls around so your cat has somewhere else to quench its thirst.
2. Ensure Your Tree is Secure – Make sure you use an appropriate tree base for the size of the tree and that all fittings are tight and sturdy and add extra weight to the base (if required). For increased security, position the tree in a corner and use string or fishing line to tether it to the ceiling, walls or windows. Also, do not leave your Christmas lights on when your tree and cat are left alone.
3. Decorate Wisely – Position your tree away from your cat’s resting and play areas plus any surfaces your cat could use to get onto the top of the tree and attack ornaments. Avoid using fragile ornaments, or if you do, place them at the top half of the tree. Rather than loosely hanging ornaments or using a dangling string that could entice your cat, try using twisty ties to firmly attach each item. Put any tinsel out of reach and try not to use foil angel hair decorations as they can often fall on the floor and be problematic if swallowed.
4. Use Cat-Safe Deterrents – Never punish your cat for playing with the tree by shouting or using a water pistol. Your cat is naturally curious and playful, so reprimanding them will only make them wary of you and not the tree. Alternatively, try some positive reinforcement and reward your cat when they are not in the tree. Give no attention to bad behaviour, as this is still attention. At the same time, use cat-safe deterrents such as citrus scents along the bottom branches of your tree. Cats do not like citrus smells and will not want to interact with that part of the tree. Other alternatives include seasonal clementine or orange peels or coat pine cones in citrus scent or citronella and use them as decorations. You could also spray a bitter apple pet deterrent product on the lower branches.
5. Supply Plenty of Cat-Friendly Distractions – By enriching your cat’s environment you will be distracting them from your Christmas tree. Provide loads of interesting things elsewhere such as toys, scratching pads and make time to interact and play with them. Offer treats praise and make a fuss of them when they play with things other than your tree.

Get in Touch For More Information

If you still haven’t ordered your Christmas tree yet, contact Weston Sawmill today. We have a large selection of Norway Spruce, Spruce and Fir Christmas trees to choose from plus traditional trees.

We start to stock our trees at the end of November, but if you would like one before then please give us a call on 01952 850383.

There are a number of Christmas trees that can be brought indoors for decorating at the most wonderful time of year.

The majority are cut trees, but some people also choose container-grown and containerised trees too.

Weston Sawmill is the leading suppliers of Christmas trees in both Shropshire and Staffordshire with customers travelling from far and wide to grab one of our homegrown trees.

Caring for Your Christmas Tree

The best advice we can offer is to purchase a locally sourced and grown tree (such as the ones at Weston Sawmill) rather than one that has been grown abroad.

When displaying trees indoors, try to avoid placing them too close to a fire or radiator as this will lead to excessive moisture loss and needle drop.

Tips for Cut Trees

When you arrive home with your tree cut 1 inch (2.5cm) off the bottom using a pruning saw and place in a stand with a well of water in the base. You will need to check daily and top up the water when the level drops, and with care, the tree should last four weeks.

Potted Tree Care

To reduce the stress and damage to a living tree, we recommend displaying them in a cool room. Try to bring trees indoors as late as possible (perhaps the weekend before Christmas) and do not keep them in the house longer than 12 days. If your tree starts to deteriorate put it back outside.

Pruning and Training

Christmas trees require very little training when grown outdoors. Try to maintain an attractive shape, removing any shoots that spoil the silhouette or any strong upright branches which compete with the leading stem. You will need to prune away any dead, diseased or dying branches.

Christmas trees that are planted in pots will be a certain size, according to the size of the pot.

Order Your Christmas Tree from Weston Sawmill

If you are still looking for your Christmas tree for this year, contact Weston Sawmill now. Our trees will be on sale from the end of November, but if you are looking to spread some festive cheer a bit earlier, we can arrange an earlier collection.

With Christmas day just three weeks away, there has never been a better time to get authentic Christmas trees from Weston Sawmill.

As an added bonus, we are open seven days a week in the lead up to Christmas, with plenty of Christmas trees, decorations and gifts all in stock.
If you can’t make it to us during the week, we also offer free mince pies and hot chocolate to customers on Saturdays and Sundays.

Premium Christmas Trees from Weston Sawmill

Our Nordmann Fir range is a premium option, that has become one of the most types of Christmas tree right across the UK. With its cone shape and glossy green foliage, without the sharpness, you may expect from the needles. Nordmann Fir trees are considered quite low-maintenance, with greater needle retention, keeping your tree looking great right across the Christmas period.
We would recommend keeping your tree away from heat sources such as radiators to help it to retain its colour and needles for even longer.

Take Your Pick of Christmas Decorations

Once you have chosen your potted or unpotted Christmas tree, it’s time to choose from our vast range of Christmas decorations. These include:

• Indoor lights
• Outdoor lights
• LED Lights
• Icicle lights
• Lanterns
• Large bulb lights
• Heritage fairy lights

We understand the importance of making your garden look as festive as the inside of your home, which is why we stock plenty of classy wooden Christmas ornaments plus wreaths to fit nicely onto your front door.

Want to Find Out More? Get in Touch

If you have any questions about our range of Christmas trees, please contact us today. We also offer Potted Nordmann, Potted Norway Spruce, Spruce and traditional Christmas trees.
If you’ve never visited us before, we are based in Weston-under-Lizard just off the A5 on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.