A GARDEN centre near Chirk is gearing up for one of its key dates in the festive calendar, officially marked as 'Bring Your Christmas Tree Home Day'.

Dobbies Garden Centre in Moreton Park is counting down to Saturday, December 3, which is known for being the most popular day for buying real Christmas trees.

And this year looks set to be no exception as demand for real trees continues to grow, with trees available both in store and online, according to the company.

Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ horticultural director and resident Christmas tree expert, provided his top tips for the best real Christmas tree experience.

He 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.

Marcus continued: "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."

Marcus explains that once you have your cut tree home, to 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, as this will help reduce needle drop.

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He added: "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."

An informative video guide on how to get your tree in the car can be accessed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdKIfbuP4c

All Dobbies’ trees are sustainably grown from specially selected seeds, taken from hand-picked cones which have been left to dry and nurtured into seedlings.

Specialist pruning techniques are used to create a bushy, uniform shape with emphasis on each individual tree’s features.

This work is done by hand which keeps any impact on surrounding wildlife to a minimum.

Dobbies’ customers in Moreton Park can be assured they were not cut down from wild forests but instead come from environmentally managed plantations across Scotland. 

Starting on Saturday and running to Friday December 9, the garden centre is offering all electric and hybrid vehicle owners 10 per cent off their real 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.