Fir Real

At Christmas time, we all fall into one of two camps… real or artificial?

If you’re a fan of the traditional, real tree you’re in the right place, as we explore the different types of trees available and how to care for them.

Choosing your tree

Look for a tree that has been freshly cut – bright, shiny needles are a good sign. Give the branches a shake: if a lot of needles fall off, the tree is past its best.

Measure the space you want your tree to fit in before you leave the house: it can be very hard to estimate size by eye. Don’t forget, the stand can add around 15cm to the height.

Wear gloves when transporting the tree to your car and home: some trees’ needles are very sharp.

There is a wide range of Christmas trees available, all different in appearance, and some more likely to drop needles than other. Some of the most popular are:

Nordmann Fir

The Nordmann Fir is the best-selling tree in the UK, with deep green foliage and bigger, softer needles than the spruces. It generally has a full shape and with the proper care will retain its needles until long after the festivities are over.

• The best needle holding tree
• British grown
• A great full bodied shape
• Rich shiny green foliage

Frazer Fir

The Frazer Fir is the second most popular Christmas tree. Similar in appearance to the Nordmann, it has slightly shorter needles that have a greyish colour to their underside. This tree also has a very pleasant scent.

• A slim tree, ideal for smaller rooms
• Aromatic foliage with silver underside
• Good needle holding qualities

Nordway Spruce

The Norway Spruce is the traditional choice, which, for many years was the only tree used at Christmas. It bears light green foliage with short, fairly sharp needles. Its popularity has declined in recent years as other species have
become more readily available at affordable prices but it still remains good value for money.

• The traditional Christmas tree
• Light green foliage with short sharp needles
• Good value for money