Real Christmas tree or fake? Nordman fir or Norway spruce? Rent a Christmas tree or buy? Our Christmas tree guide looks at tree varieties, how to choose the perfect Christmas tree, plus advice on how to care for your tree and environmentally friendly options.
For many of us having a real Christmas tree is one of the best things about the festive period – needles be damned.
There’s nothing quite as evocative as the smell of warm pine in your living room, perhaps harkening back to some ancient connection with the landscape, and certainly linking to past traditions. Whether you cut your own from a Christmas Tree farm or order one in from Ikea, you’ll still have to decide on the height, the variety and the type of tree – cut-off or living.
How to choose the perfect Christmas tree
Our Christmas tree guide explains the pros and cons of the different types, where to get your Christmas tree from, how to make it last longer, explore some decoration ideas and take a brief look at the history of the Christmas tree in Britain .
Christmas tree varieties – which is the best tree to choose?
Choosing your real Christmas tree is always a highlight of the festive season, but other than the size and shape, what are the things to consider when buying your tree? We look at the pros and cons of the most popular varieties.
Norway Spruce
- Needles – Short and sharp to touch. Classic needle dropper.
- Aroma – Long-lasting resinous aroma.
- Shape – Wonderful shape with an abundance of branches that are perfect for smaller, delicate ornaments.
Known as the ‘father of Christmas trees’, this is the type that rapidly drops its needles if you forget to top up the water at the base. But keep it hydrated and you have the quintessential conical spruce with a long-lasting scent and delicate, thin branches that make threading smaller ornaments really easy. Just don’t position it next to the radiator unless you enjoy hoovering daily.
Nordmann Fir
- Needles – Glossy, dark and soft with a light blue underside. Minimal loss.
- Aroma – Faint citrus scent, not immediately obvious.
- Shape – Wide, even and bushy, so requires good space in the living room. For a 6ft tall tree, allow approximately 5ft space.
The Nordmann Fir is easily the most popular Christmas tree in Europe, and its big, soft needles make it a firm favourite with families who have children. The branches are bendy, and the needles are soft and rounded, which means hanging decorations can be a bit fiddly. But once on, your expensive glass baubles are pretty safe, even from overexcited family cats. The even shape of the tree makes decorating simple, and needles are long-lasting. A great all-rounder that can withstand a bit of neglect.
Lodgepole Pine
- Needles – Luscious and long. Good retention.
- Aroma – Long-lasting pine scent.
- Shape – Tall and slender.
If you have high ceilings, the Lodgepole pine may be the tree for you, as it looks its best in a big, tall and open space. With the best needle retention of all the varieties, Lodgepole pines are perfect for those who like to decorate their tree and little earlier and don’t want Christmas to end. The branches point upwards, giving an extra elegance to the overall shape.
The great Christmas tree debate: Real vs fake – which is better?
There’s nothing quite like the smell and feel of a real Christmas tree, but often it’s more effort and seems rather wasteful when Christmas is over compared to the re-usable artificial ones. So why bother buying real?
Real trees use ten times fewer materials and five times less energy compared to artificial trees – and they are totally biodegradable. The Forestry Commission ensures it only sells trees that are UK grown and that more trees are planted each year than harvested.
Find a Forestry Commission Christmas tree site here.
UK locations to choose and cut your own Christmas tree
Why not have the great satisfaction of selecting and chopping down your own Christmas tree at a specialist farm? Search for ‘Christmas tree farm near me’ to find your nearest – here are a few of our favourites:
Salem Christmas Tree Farm, Llandeilo
Turn choosing a Christmas tree into a festive day out in this 27-acre Welsh smallholding, which also offers stunning woodland walks, a Christmas shop and the chance for children to meet Father Christmas.
If you don’t fancy chopping your own tree, freshly cut trees are also on offer. This festive farm is open for business until dusk on Christmas Eve.
Friezeland Farm, Warwickshire
Choose from more than 30,000 tree varieties including, tradition spruce trees, non-drop trees, blue spruce and pot grown trees at this large woodland estate in Warwickshire. You can pick and chop your own tree or opt to have it potted so you can plant in your garden after the festive season.
Leaton Knolls Estate, Shropshire
Leaton Knolls has a great variety of trees that have established it as Shropshire’s leading Christmas tree retailer for the past 30 years. With a range of pre-cut trees also available, those feeling adventurous can wander among the trees of the plantation and cut down the tree they want for their home.
Environmentally friendly Christmas tree options
It is estimated that more than seven million Christmas trees will become household waste each year. While many councils will turn old Christmas trees into green waste – shredding them and turning into compost, this process still generates 160,000 tonnes of waste each year, according to the Carbon Trust.
Alternatively, why not rent a tree or buy a potted tree which you can use each year? You’ll be able to return the tree to the supplier after the main event, where it will continue to be cared for and grown, sequestering carbon and providing a home for wildlife, for the rest of the year. Check out the following UK suppliers for more information:
Love a Christmas tree, Lincolnshire and surrounds
Cotswold Fir, Gloucester, Cheltenham & Stroud
Methley Estate, Huddersfield
How to decorate a Christmas tree
There’s nothing like putting on the Christmas tunes and making a steaming pot of mulled wine while you decorate your Christmas tree for getting in the festive spirit. When it comes to decorating the tree, it is likely to be influenced by your interior style preferences – or whether you have young children who want to help!
Here is our simple step by step guide for decorating your Christmas tree:
- Tidy the branches and place in a sturdy pot – if you’re using a real cut or potted tree it is worth tidying up the branches by fluffing them out and trimming and scruffy branches. Place the tree in a sturdy pot or stand and give your potted tree a water to dampen the soil. It is a good idea to leave the tree to settle for a couple of hours into the warmth of your home after most likely being kept outdoors.
- Put the lights on – however you decorate your tree the golden rule is to always hang the lights first. If you have a large tree it is easier to string the lights with another person by starting at the base and winding the lights round the tree towards the top. Switching the lights on first is helpful so you can see how best to space them out.
- Start decorating – now the fun part, decorating the tree. If you plan to use beading or tinsel it is a good idea to place this on the tree before beginning to hang baubles and other decorations. Space out larger decorations first and then add the smaller pieces to fill in any gaps.
Make your Christmas tree ornaments
Make spiced Christmas tree biscuits to hang from your tree with this easy recipe
Make your own tree decorations
Bring a touch of woodland charm to your festive tree this Christmas, with these easy-to-make birds…
