WHAT’S THE BEST REAL TREE FOR YOU?

There’s an art to keeping your festive centrepiece looking beautiful through to the Twelfth Night. Here’s how to choose the right tree, and make it last

BEST FOR BEAUTIFUL COLOUR

Noble Fir

£50-£60 for a 6ft-7ft tree

✓ The distinctive bluegreen colour of this fir’s needles make a striking statement in your home, especially if you choose a tree with a bluer hue.

✓ Noble firs have a strong scent and good needle retention.

BEST SPACE SAVER

Fraser Fir £46-£54 for a 6ft-7ft tree

✓ This slim tree is ideal for smaller spaces, and will fill your home with its sweet fragrance.

✓ It lasts well as its firm branches are slow to shed their slightly flattened needles, which are dark green on top and silver underneath.

BEST FOR OUTDOORS

Norway Spruce £28-£32 for a 6ft-7ft tree

✓ This tree’s uniform conical shape and dense foliage make a beautiful display outdoors.

✓ Unlike firs and pines, spruces don’t hold their needles once branches begin to dry out, even with regular watering.

BEST FOR HEAVY DECORATIONS

Scots Pine

£32-£36 for a 6ft-7ft tree

✓ This tree has a strong pine scent and a dense, bushy shape.

✓ Its long needles grow in twisted pairs and are strong enough to support heavier ornaments. One of the best varieties for holding its needles.

BEST CLASSIC SHAPE Nordmann Fir £48-£56 for a 6ft-7ft tree ✓ With its classic, symmetrical shape and dense branches, this is one of the UK’S favourite Christmas trees. ✓ It’s slow to drop its needles, which are soft, making it a great choice for families with children or inquisitive pets.