CHRISTMAS TREES

Our test team raced against the clock, assembling trees of every shape and size

OVERALL FAVOURITE Pre-lit Georgetown Fir Feel-real Artificial Christmas Tree, from £319.99; Hayesgardenworld.co.uk We’re in awe of how beautiful this tree is. The branches are bushy and the fairy lights a cool white. Fairly quick to assemble, but the lights are fiddly to connect. Height: 6-8ft Assembly time: 4min 11sec

FOR SPARKLY GLAMOUR B&Q Tula Tree, £70; Diy.com If you want to inject a little glitz and glamour into your Christmas, this tree is perfect. It’s a stylish grey colour that has been embellished with a touch of glitter. We found it easy to assemble and, in just under 3 minutes, it was the fastest to set up out of all our winning trees. Height: 6ft Assembly time: 2min 41sec

THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE Illuminated Christmas Tree by Lime Tree London, £99.50; Notonthehighstreet.com If you’re after something a little different, this illuminated spiral tree is a great alternative to a traditional tree. We loved how unique it is and that it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Simple to set up and – as it folds away flat – incredibly compact to store.

Height: 5.2ft Assembly time: 4min 58sec

WOW FACTOR Pre-lit Liberty Pine Decorated Feel-real Artificial Christmas Tree, from £269.99; Hayesgardenworld.co.uk The frosting, pine cones and green needles make this tree look impressive and realistic. It would add an authentic, rustic feel to any home. However, the lights were difficult to connect, which increased assembly time.

Height: 5-9ft Assembly time: 15min

SPACE-SAVING Stiletto Black Pencil Tree, from £178; Treetopia.co.uk If space is an issue in your house, this 23in-wide pencil tree is perfect. It was so easy to build that we didn’t need to look at the instructions. It could be classy or attentiongrabbing with the right decorations, but it was a little unstable once built.

Height: 6-7ft Assembly time: 5min