Essex Christmas Tree farms are encouraging locals to recycle trees safely
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association want to ensure people are sensible when disposing of their trees
Christmas Tree farms across the county are spreading awareness of how you can safely dispose your Christmas tree in an environmentally friendly way, and continue to look after it until you're ready to see it go.
Instead of resorting to leaving your tree in a rubbish dump,
Darren Malone from The Rayleigh Christmas Tree farm near Southend-on-Sea, and other tree growers as part of the Christmas Tree Growers association are urging people to recycle their trees: "The best way is to get your tree chipped up. Have a look at your council's website. Most local councils will do a curb side collection so they can chip up your tree.
"Then that can be used for heating bio-mass fuels or can be reused for mulch to help with the gardens."
Alternatively, the association is encouraging people to participate in the annual JustHelping Christmas tree collection, which raises money for hospices throughout England.
If you aren't ready to say goodbye to your Christmas tree yet, Malone has some advice for ensuring it looks fresh and green.
"The main thing, is to keep your water stand topped up all the time. If the water dries out, then your tree will seal up and it wont take in anymore water."