It is important to understand that when unloading trees from pallets there will be some loose needles when taking the net from the trees. This is entirely due to the netting and transportation process and should not be regarded as inferior quality trees.
Our advice is to shake the tree when "denetting" so that these transit needles are dislodged. To avoid damaging the branches, the trees ought not to be unwrapped if the temperature is below zero. The customer should be told how to get the most out of their tree. (Below are some handy hints).
It is part of the life cycle of the conifer tree that it sheds needles and they will accelerate that shedding particularly if they dry out. Some trees do so more quickly than others. The best way to ensure satisfaction is to care for the tree whilst it is in your home. A tree should be treated like any plant being brought into a warm, dry atmosphere.
After you have bought your tree it should be kept outside in a cool shaded place, preferably standing in water, until it is required indoors. Before bringing the tree indoors it is an advantage if about half an inch is cut off the butt in order to open up the pores of the tree. Mount it in a water-holding stand, and place away from direct heat and radiators. Keep the container topped up with water every day; you will be surprised how much it needs.
These are trees which have been extracted with their roots. This is usually only possible with the smaller trees. The small roots break off and no soil comes with the larger root system. They should be freshly harvested. It is best to soak the roots in water before potting the tree in moist earth. The earth should be kept moist. These trees will last longer if they are kept away from direct heat and radiators when they are brought indoors. There is a slight chance that these trees will survive if planted out after Christmas. They should be watered very well.
These are trees that have been grown for at least one season in their pots. It is often possible to lift the whole root system out of the pot and see closely woven root which has grown in the pot. The trees themselves should look fresh. The trees will be small and seldom more than three feet tall. The trees should be watered and cared for as for any house plant. After Christmas they can either be planted out with a very good chance of success or they can be left to grow on in their pot, but it is much better in this case to re-pot the tree in a larger pot. It is seldom possible to re-pot trees in this way for more than one season.