EXPERT ADVICE… CHOOSING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE

Dobbies in-house expert Craig Roman shares his tips on selecting the right style

In the UK there are four main types of real trees available, and each one has its own merits. Take the time to choose the best one for your home.

■ The Nordman fir Thanks to its low-needledrop properties and its perfect shape, this is the most readily available and popular choice. With glossy, soft green needles it will create a luxury feel in your space, and as it offers good longevity it’s an ideal choice if you prefer to put up your tree as early as possible and still want it to look good on Christmas Day.

■ The Fraser fir With its narrow proportions, this is a practical option for smaller spaces as it will take up less room than other varieties. It has a blue green colour and dense, glossy foliage, still with good needleretaining properties.

■ The Noble fir If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, this might be just the ticket. Whorls of blue-tinged needles adorn these gorgeous trees, and with nicely spaced foliage it’s ideal for displaying all your decorations. However, these aren’t usually available in huge numbers, so make sure you buy yours early.

■ The Norway spruce Often heralded as the traditional Christmas tree, this boasts a lovely pyramid shape, dark green foliage and has that classic rich, festive scent. As the needles won’t last as long as other varieties, however, it’s best suited to cooler rooms and should be put up closer to Christmas Day. Christmas trees, from

£29.99 each, Dobbies