Taking away your Christmas tree without needles all over the car
Taking away a Christmas tree seems like a small thing until you try to get it into the boot of a car. A two-metre spruce won't bend, the needles dig into the carpets and the resin stays on the upholstery. A van with a flat load floor solves this problem in a few minutes and leaves nothing behind.
Don't wait until the tree is completely dry
A dried-out tree drops needles with every movement. The trip down from the fourth floor then turns into a clean-up operation on the stairs and in the lift. Ideally, take it away when it starts shedding, not three weeks later.
Wrap it while still in the flat
The best aid is an old blanket or a long bag. First tie the branches to the trunk with string so the tree gets narrower, and only then wrap it. A tree prepared like this will get through doors and the lift without catching on the door frames.
Put plastic sheeting under the stand. Water from the stand and fallen needles are the two things that make the biggest mess when carrying it out. Remove the stand only once you are outside, not in the living room.
What to put in the van under the tree
Line the load floor with cardboard or a tarpaulin. Spruce resin is harder to remove from surfaces than ordinary dirt, and you return the van in the same condition in which you picked it up. Cardboard from Christmas packaging is perfect for exactly this.
Lay the tree with the tip facing forwards. With the trunk towards the rear, it is easier to handle when unloading and the branches don't spread out on the way. If you are carrying several trees, stack them alternately tip and trunk so they lie flat.
Bear in mind that the tree is longer than it looks. The trunk with the stand and the spread lower branches can easily add half a metre. A smaller van will take an ordinary indoor spruce without any problem, but for a three-metre tree from the cottage, it is better to check the internal length of the van in advance.
Where to take it
Check the conditions in advance. The rules for disposing of trees vary by town and by specific site, and they change every season. Before you set off, find out the opening hours and whether the site accepts trees at all.
Also ask what condition they will accept the tree in. Some places want the tree without decorations, hooks and remnants of lights; elsewhere it must not be in a bag. Go through the branches and remove everything that doesn't belong there — a single forgotten bit of wire can complicate the disposal.
If you are taking several trees, team up with your neighbours. One trip can sort out a whole block and the work can be shared among several people. Mileage within the Czech Republic is also unlimited, so you don't need to worry about how far away the destination is.
