Many species of evergreen conifer are traditionally used as Christmas trees, each with its own unique properties, pros and cons. Some do better indoors and some outdoors, others drop needles at a rapid rate whilst others will remain full and bushy. It is important to select a tree based on your own needs and requirements. As there are so many species of tree available, I will stick to trees that are well-known and grown in Britain to help you know how to pick the right Christmas tree.
Norway Spruce
The Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree, perfect as an outdoor tree as it prefers the cold weather at this time of year and the shock of bringing it indoors means it does not have a long shelf life, expect needle dropping.
If you do decide to bring a Norway Spruce inside your home it is better later in the season past the 10th of December, and there are a few tricks to keeping this tree looking its best:
Keep away from radiators and heat sources, this tree would prefer being by a window.
As with all Christmas trees, you should keep the trunk submerged in water at all times.
The Norway Spruce is famous for its incredible scent, the “famous Christmas tree aroma”, when you think of all the smells Christmas has to offer this is one of the first scents that comes to mind.
Alternatively, if you fancy the look of a Norway Spruce but without the aroma take a look at our artificial Christmas tree range.
Nordmann Fir
The Nordmann Fir is the most popular real Christmas tree in the United Kingdom and with good reason, its needles are soft and do not drop easily when the tree drys out.
They are fairly symmetrically shaped and have strong branches which make this tree a pleasure to decorate, and especially pleasing to the eye when on display.
Its soft needles make this tree perfect for families with young children and pets who may accidentally prick themselves on trees with sharp needles.
Strong bushy branches are suitable for hanging heavier Christmas ornaments, and the tree will last for longer periods making it a great choice for families who like to put up their Christmas decorations early.
The Nordmann fir doesn’t have a very strong scent, so if you are after a tree that “smells like Christmas” this species may not be for you.
Lodgepole Pine
The Lodgepole Pine has a lovely pine scent that fills the room, this tree is perfect for large rooms with high ceilings as it is very bushy.
It is flush with long and soft green needles, so once again it may be a great choice for a family with young kids, although the tips can be slightly spikey.
It is worth noting that the needles do not drop easily and that the Lodepole Pine is a very hardy tree, it is more resistant to temperature fluctuations than a lot of other Xmas trees, but the top branches are not very strong and bay sag a bit, something to keep in mind if you intend to hang heavy ornaments.
For more information on these 3 species of Christmas tree check out what Forestry England has to say.
There are many more species of Christmas trees that you may wish to check out, but I hope we have helped inform you sufficiently about 3 very special tree species we have in Britain. If you think an artificial tree might be more suited to your home, why not (check out our We R Christmas Tree Guide.) insert link
How to Care for a Real Christmas Tree
Give Your Trunk a Trim
When you get your tree home it is important you give its trunk a trim, this removes the hardened sap on the bottom of the trunk and allows the tree to absorb lots of water which will keep it fresh and green for the whole festive period. Take about half an inch off in total, if you can not do this yourself it is worth asking the seller to do this before collection.
Keep Your Tree Watered
You must choose a stand that has an adequate base to hold water, without water your tree will die quickly and it will lose needles at a rapid rate before ultimately wilting and dying. Your tree must have water at all times so daily checks are preferable if you want to ensure a healthy, lush tree.
Steer Clear of Temperature Extremes
Most Christmas trees prefer the cooler air at this time of year, so a sudden shock into a warm environment or next to a radiator is a surefire way to increase the rate at which your tree will sag and die. We recommend keeping your real tree near a window and away from electrical or gas items that produce a lot of heat.
Whether you decide to go for a real or artificial tree, it will soon need decorating, and we hope you can (draw some inspiration from our blog on how to decorate a Christmas tree like a professional.) insert link