While many of us love the aesthetic and fresh scent of a real Christmas tree, small mistakes can quickly dry it out and leave it looking brittle by the time the festivities begin. Once you bring a live Christmas tree home, you should essentially treat it like a large cut flower, as it needs the right care and conditions to stay alive for several weeks.

Giving your tree enough water is the obvious step, but it's often overlooked factors that quietly damage a Christmas tree without people realising what's causing the problem. A common mistake households make is improper placement. If your tree is near a heat source or close to windows, it can quickly get stressed by being exposed to temperature extremes. Decorations can also have a bigger impact than you may expect. Heavy baubles can weigh down branches and older, non-LED lights can dry out the needles. Be mindful of the stand you use as well, as a stand that is too small may not hold enough water, and if the trunk is squeezed too tightly, it can restrict water uptake.

Here are seven surprising things that could be ruining your Christmas tree:

Having your tree near a window can expose it to cold draughts, which causes stress to the tree and speeds up needle loss. A more temperature-consistent location will help it stay fresher for longer.

Placing your tree near radiators, fireplaces, or heaters can dry it out quickly. It can reduce humidity, cause the tree to lose moisture at a rapid rate, and make needles drop quickly.

A stand that can't hold enough water or doesn't match the trunk size can quickly dehydrate the tree. Christmas trees need a lot of water, some even need one to two litres per day.

Heavy baubles and garlands may look great, but they can put unnecessary strain on the branches, causing them to droop or even snap. It's best to opt for lighter decorations and distribute them evenly across the tree.

Some people have old, non-LED lights that they have used for years and that hold nostalgic value. However, they emit heat which can dry out the tree and increase fire risk.

Cats climbing branches and dogs brushing past can loosen needles, bend limbs, or knock the tree off balance, so if that's the case, it's best to get a pet barrier to keep your tree and pets safe.

A little pruning is fine, but cutting off too many lower branches weakens the tree's structure and increases the surface area where it loses moisture.