Christmas tree smells bad and turning brown

Kefi

I bought a real Xmas tree from Asda as I do every year. I have had it about 2 weeks and in the last 48 hours it has started to smell horrible, look withered, and parts of it are turning brown. I know it shouldnt be like this but what is wrong with it? I will have to get a new one.
The tree doesnt have roots and but I am keeping it lightly watered. I can't see any small midges or spiders or anything on it that would suggest infestation. Please advise. Thanks

withabix

When you buy a cut tree, you need to cut about 1-2 inches off the trunk when you get it home, as the not-so-freshly-cut tree will have 'tried' to seal the cut with pine resin, stopping the uptake of any moisture around the bark.

The bad smell will probably be the stagnant water in your bucket.

Buy a new one, cut the trunk and stand it in a bucket of water with one crushed or soluble Aspirin in it for a day before taking it indoors.

Keep the tree well away from any radiators or sunny windows.

jap200

Kefi wrote: »

I bought a real Xmas tree from Asda as I do every year. I have had it about 2 weeks and in the last 48 hours it has started to smell horrible, look withered, and parts of it are turning brown. I know it shouldnt be like this but what is wrong with it? I will have to get a new one.
The tree doesnt have roots and but I am keeping it lightly watered. I can't see any small midges or spiders or anything on it that would suggest infestation. Please advise. Thanks

The tree may well have been cut a couple of weeks before you bought it and then you have also had it a couple of weeks - so it is now just old and dying - like any cut flowers/plants will do. Sadly there isn't an easy way of telling if you are buying a fresh tree, but my advice if you want a real cut tree is to buy locally from a farm shop or independent supplier where you can quizz them about when the trees were cut. When you get it come saw a slice of the base and then put it in water and leave it outside until as late as possible, bringing it into the house no more than 2 weeks before the big day at the most. The soluble aspirin in the water is also a good idea - but sadly won't help a cut tree that is already dying. It sounds like yours is now just at the end of its life and you can't really do anything about it except buy another one.

MrsDrink

Just wondering whether you could get a refund on the grounds of it not being fit for purpose? The clue being in the name "Christmas" tree?