Spare a thought, when putting up your Christmas tree, for Hever Castle’s Neil Miller. In his role as Head Gardener, Neil has more than 400 trees to deal with at this time each year.
Putting up hundreds of festive trees – including Norway Spruce, Nordman Fir, and others – is a highlight of his job, although he says there are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to maintaining your tree throughout the season.
Hever Castle’s Christmas trees are delivered from the Hole Park Estate at Rolvenden, Kent. They are placed in numerous locations, such as the Trail, Santa’s Grotto, the grounds and the Castle, as well as being on display in Hever’s luxury accommodation and its restaurants.
Since the trees are put up and decorated in November, they need to look their best for several weeks. Using his many years of experience, Neil gives his tips for ensuring longevity.
Neil’s top Christmas Tree tips are as follows:
1. We make sure that each of our indoor trees (in the Castle and in our restaurants, for example) is standing in water. Even though they have been cut, prior to delivery, the trees are technically still growing, and some water ensures that we prolong their lives.
2. If you are purchasing a cut tree this year, then the best tip I can give is to leave it outside for as long as you possibly can. Even a few days left outside, after purchasing, will guarantee that the tree will look at its best during the festive period.
3. Stand the tree somewhere cool indoors – beside a patio window, for instance, is a better spot than beside a radiator or fire.
4. If you are able to buy a pot-grown tree, then this can save you money in the long-term, and is also a good thing in sustainable terms. As soon as the festivities are over, the pot can be taken back into the garden, and can be used for another year. The fact that it is in a pot will restrict the tree’s growth and make sure it doesn’t become too overgrown.
5. If you are able to, I recommend buying a British grown tree. The latter would have been harvested later in the year, whereas trees in Norway, for example, will have been harvested much earlier, ready for exporting, and therefore the lifespan will be drastically reduced. These trees can turn dry and lose their needles much sooner.
Read more about about this year’s Christmas event at Hever Castle: Christmas In The Land Of Oz. Save by booking online.
SEE FULL DETAILS FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVENT
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
