How to pick out the best real Christmas tree
For many people, picking out a real Christmas tree is something the festive season wouldn't be complete without. The scent, the excitement of choosing 'the one' and the battle to keep it looking fresh until the big day.
Finding one that's freshly cut, combatting shedding, and properly maintaining it at home might make the tradition seem a little daunting, but there are certain things you can look out for when choosing a real tree. We spoke with experts to find out how to pick a pick the perfect festive fir and keep it fresh all season long.
Know when to buy it
The team at Christmas Tree World advises that the best time to buy your real Christmas tree is on the first Sunday of Advent. This year it falls on Sunday December 1.
On average Christmas trees last between four and five weeks, depending on the type, but Petar Ivanov, gardening and tree health expert at Fantastic Gardeners, advises buying your tree as early as possible because all the real trees are cut and delivered to the garden centres in the last week of November.
"If you wait until the 24th of December, it will still be the same tree in the garden centre as it was at the end of November," he says. "If you buy your tree early, you get the better choice."
Decide between potted or fresh cut
Potted Christmas trees are generally smaller and require more watering and attention than fresh cut trees. However, they can be replanted year after year, making them perfect for those who love the idea of long-term care and sustainability.
"A fresh cut Christmas tree offers a classic holiday experience, with a wide variety of sizes and the nostalgic scent of pine, ideal for those who don’t have garden space, or prefer a lower-maintenance option and don’t mind recycling their tree after the festive season," advises Mairi Devlin, Head of Christmas at B&Q.
Choose your real tree type
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says there are four main types of real Christmas trees that are commonly brought into the home during the festive season. They are:
Norway spruce: Traditional Christmas tree with a good scent, but quick to drop its needles.
Nordmann fir: Dark green needles that are very slow to drop, but more expensive than Norway spruce.
Blue spruce: Blue needles, more prickly than other trees, holds its needles better than the Norway spruce.
Korean fir: Dark green, slightly curling needles. Excellent needle-holding quality.
Fraser fir: Good needle-holding properties, a lovely pine fragrance and the regular shape of a Norway spruce.
The UK's most popular tree is the Nordmann Fir because it loses very few needles, and with the right care will remain green and full through the festive season.
Ask about your tree's roots
The RHS advises asking your supplier where the trees come from, and to choose a locally sourced and grown tree, or one that has at least been grown in the UK rather than abroad.
Check the colour and look of the tree
Checking the colour of the tree is another essential thing to do before buying to determine if it is fresh. "A real Christmas tree should be green and shiny or glossy, and any brown or grey colouring should be avoided," advises Graham Smith, a horticultural expert from LBS Horticulture.
"Trees that have yellowing or brown needles should also be avoided as they may have been cut down earlier in the season and begun to dry out.
Novell says the trunk of the tree should be thick and sturdy and relative to its size. "The branches should also be densely packed with needles and the tree should have a good shape and a full appearance," he adds. "Avoid trees with bare spots or missing branches," he adds.
Try the drop test
Checking the needles of a tree is the best indication as to what sort of condition it’s in and one way to test this is with the drop test to assess the tree's freshness. "Take a branch and pull it towards you, allowing it to pass through your fingers to check if the needles stay in place," advises Josh Novell from Polhill garden centre.
Novell also suggests lifting the tree a few inches off the ground and firmly tapping it down. "If you see a large number of needles fall off, consider looking for a different one," he adds.
Check the scent
Smith says a healthy tree will usually be fragrant, as this suggests that it has a good water content and has not begun to dry out.
Avoid trees wrapped in nets
According to Smith pre-wrapped trees will not have much air circulation and will therefore be unable to form a micro-climate, which means that the tree will warm up quicker and drop its needles sooner.
"The netting will also prevent you from seeing the shape and size of the tree to ensure that it will fit in your home, and it may leave some of the branches bent," he adds.
Measure up
Before purchasing a tree, Smith advises measuring the height and width of the area in your home where you intend to place it.
"Bring a tape measure with you when viewing trees so that you do not buy a tree that will not fit," he continues.
"When measuring, remember to account for decorations such as tree toppers that will add to the height of a tree, and check how large your tree stand will be as this will also increase the overall height of the tree slightly."
Look after your tree at home
When you get it home, to help it rehydrate Devlin advises cutting an inch off the base of the tree and standing it in a bucket of fresh water overnight.
"When thinking about where to place it indoors, keep the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, or direct sunlight to help it last longer," she adds.
To ensure your tree lasts right through to the big day, Devlin advises making sure the tree is well-watered daily to avoid it drying out. "Especially within the first week, as it will continue to take up the most water then," she adds.
Read more about Christmas:
Why elaborate Christmas window displays evoke wonder and joy (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
The best date to put up your Christmas tree, according to experts (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
How healthy and cheap are the best mince pies this Christmas? (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
