Dry Christmas trees pose a fire risk and should be watered.
Despite warnings they pose a fire risk, real Christmas trees are proiving as popular as ever.
A video issued on social media by the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows dramatically how quickly a dry pine tree can burn.
The association recommends watering Christmas trees regularly so they burn much slower, lessening the risk of a devastating fire.
Bryan Wilton, based near Halcombe, has been growing Christmas trees for at least 20 years.
He plants Pinus radiata seedlings in the ground, grows them on for three to five years and prunes to keep them bushy - but not too dense.
He said most people don't appreciate the care that goes into them.
His advice for looking after them at home:
"Treat them like a flower out of the garden. Stick them in a bucket of water and don't let the water get low."
The trees will stay green for a month that way.
His trees are sold on behalf at Springvale Garden Centre, managing director Gareth Carter said. They retail for $25 to $50.
Sales are up on last year, and the buyers have a mix of motivations.
Some are regulars, who just like the smell of a real pine tree. Others are people with children, who want them to experience a real tree. Still others are anti-plastic and want the real thing.
The garden centre also sells pohutukawas and pine trees in pots, to bring inside as Christmas trees, and put outside after that.
After Christmas is over the tree must be disposed of. And a dry, dead pine tree is a fire hazard, Whanganui fire safety management officer Jess Hicks said - especially when its covered with electric lights.
She recommends people with live trees keep their water up, and turn the electic lights off before they go to bed at night.
When the tree is dead and dry it should be taken outside and disposed of - not left by the house or garage.
