Everyone has a mental picture of the perfect live Christmas tree – beautifully tiered branches covered with glossy green needles and rising to a soaring point; shimmering Christmas tree lights, sumptuous decorations and gaily wrapped Christmas presents.
Buying a Christmas tree to make this dream come true is more difficult. Too often, Christmas morning dawns on a severe case of needle drop, a misshapen vision of bare branches rising from a pile of dry needles. To avoid this disaster, you need to consider when to buy, where to buy, what types of tree to buy and how to pick a fresh, healthy tree. These Xmas tree tips may help you choose between all the different types of Christmas trees for sale and make your dream a reality this year.
When to Buy Christmas Trees
Always buy your tree as late as possible and having bought it, heel it in in a sheltered spot in the garden before bringing it in for decoration at the last possible moment. Whatever type of Christmas tree you choose, and however fresh it is, a warm, dry room will always put it under stress.
An additional reason for buying Xmas trees as late as possible is that exposure to frost "fixes" the needles, and makes needle drop less severe.
Where to Buy Christmas Trees
There a wide selection of Christmas tree suppliers to choose from:
- Local Christmas Tree Growers. Best of all is to buy from a good local grower or nursery, if you have one and provided it really is good and not just local. Here you can see your tree dug or cut, and know exactly how fresh it is.
- Garden Centres. A good quality garden centre is another good source, and may offer a wider choice of different types of Christmas trees. However, prices are likely to be higher than when buying Xmas trees direct from the grower, and it isn't often easy to find out exactly when the trees were dug or cut.
- The DIY Chains. Buying Christmas trees from a DIY chain must reluctantly now be seen to be a very reasonable option. The best of them offer a wide variety of different types of Xmas trees of good quality and at very competitive prices. Again, it's very difficult to know when the Christmas trees were first cut or dug, but fast turnover gives a reasonable likelihood that they're fairly fresh.
- Internet Christmas Tree Sale. An increasing number of growers and importers have internet web sites offering direct delivery of Xmas trees, like Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm. The better ones offer top quality and a very wide variety of different types of tree, but most are quite pricey. Research these suppliers carefully before placing an order. The UK Christmas Tree Growers Association publishes a list of retail internet sites.
Different Types of Christmas Tree
Choosing a the type of Christmas tree to buy is very much a matter of personal choice, largely centred around shape and colour. However, different Xmas tree species and varieties differ widely in their ability to retain their needles and general durability; the traditional Norway Spruce is still the most widely popular but is most prone to needle drop unless treated with great care, while at the other extreme the Nordman Fir, Scots Pine and Blue Spruce all have very good needle retention.
More information about different types of Xmas trees.
What to Look for in an Xmas Tree
While most trees are sold cut, Norway Spruce are available in the smaller sizes as dug or bare rotted trees, or even as pot grown trees. These are always a better choice if you decide on a Norway Spruce.
Whatever variety of tree you decide on:
- Make sure that the leaves are fresh and green, and that there’s no sign of leaf drop. Tapping the butt on the ground will show if the tree is starting to shed its needles.
- If possible buy your tree after the first frost has chilled the leaves and started the tree into hibernation.
- Some people prefer a dense Xmas tree, others one with a more open habit. Either way, make sure you know not just the height of your room but the width of the space available at home.
- Have it net wrapped for the journey home if possible. Net wrapped Xmas trees are easier to handle and transport, but to avoid any disappointment make sure you see the tree out of the net before making your choice.
Transporting and Caring for Your Christmas Tree
It's important to care properly for your tree right from the start to keep it in good condition:
- If carrying it home on a car roof, wrap it in a protective sheet to protect it from the wind.
- Once home heel it in straight away until you're ready to take it indoors.
- Make sure its never allowed to dry out or exposed to dessicating winds.
More information about Xmas tree care.
Tony Allen - In 2004 I began my "fourth career" as a freelance writer. In my first career, after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, I ...
