O CHRISTMAS TREE!
Our essential guide to finding the perfect fir
Nothing signals the beginning of the festive season quite like buying a Christmas tree – but should it be real or artificial? Never fear: we’re here to help you pick your perfect fir, whether it’s choosing and caring for real varieties or highlighting the best artificial buys. We also ask the question: which really is better for the environment?
The real thing
There’s nothing like the uplifting scent of a real Christmas tree to get you feeling truly festive, and the ritual of picking one is just as important as decorating it – so these are the key things to remember before you hand over your cash:
CHECK IT’S READY To make sure you choose the best tree for your home, check for freshness before you buy. Give it a shake a few inches above the ground to ensure most of its needles remain in place. They should stay attached to the branch and not come off in your hand.
INSPECT CONTAINER VARIETIES Some Christmas trees are container-grown, which means they have been in their pots for at least one season. They are small and normally no more than 3ft high. Often, it is possible to lift the tree’s whole root system out of the pot to check it is healthy and intact. The trees themselves should look fresh.
SHOP SMART It may seem obvious, but measure the height of your ceiling and floor space first. Take a tape measure with you when you go to choose your tree, and be sure to allow enough space for a decoration to sit on top and for a stand in which to secure your tree.
How can I get the most from my Christmas tree?
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) recommends these 3 rules:
CARE Your tree should be fed and cared for, just as you would for any house plant being brought into a warm, dry atmosphere. To make it last, water your tree each day to keep its pine fragrance and needles.
PLANT After Christmas, container-grown trees can either be planted out, with a very good chance of success, or they can be left to grow further in a pot. In this case, it is far better to repot the tree in a larger planter.
DISPOSAL Many BCTGA members and local councils offer Christmas tree collection services, where used Christmas trees are picked up and recycled. Visit gov.uk/garden-waste-disposal for more details.