Which Festive Tree?

By the time I think about Christmas trees it’s too late to tell you which types are available in the shops. I’m not much of a ‘plan ahead’ person, which is one of the reasons I unwrap and assemble our synthetic one out of the box at the last minute. I’m amazed at the vast range of imitation trees you can get and also the manufacturer’s ability to make them so authentic. All they need to do now is incorporate a time limit the needles stay on the tree then drop all over the carpet and they will be perfect.

For those of you that like the real think I’ve made a list of the ones we see locally in the shops. Prices range from the reasonable to the ridiculous for what will be wood chip and compost in the very near future. But it’s the priceless joy it brings when the tree is in the house with presents underneath it that will give you those treasured memories. Pass the bucket please.

Christmas tree Choices

Most of the types mentioned here can be bought with the roots still in place if you want to plant it out in the garden when you are done, they generally come chopped though.

Norway spruce

Spikey is the key word here. This is the traditional Christmas tree which has been popular since Victorian times. The bright green, bushy Norway Spruce has a lovely Christmassy scent, but quickly drops its dense, spiky needles so it's not great for young children and can be quite high maintenance. These are the types you will buy in the middle of December to ensure you have a needle or two still on the tree on the 25^th.

Fraser fir

These are a bit like the Norway spruce but has a more narrow base - making it ideal for tight spaces. It smells good too.

Lodgepole pine

Native to the US, this tree's straight stems were supposedly once used by Native Americans as the central pole for their wigwams. It's a bushy tree with yellowy-green needles and is very good for needle retention.

Noble fir

This fir has attractive grey-green needles that tilt upwards and very strong branches, so is a good choice for hanging heavy decorations on. They are pretty hard to find locally.

Scots pine

The Scots pine (Scotland's national tree) is a native tree with bright, blue-green foliage and a lovely fragrance. The needles are quite sharp, but they have excellent retention - even when dry. The branches are known for being strong if you're planning on lots of decorations.

Nordmann Fir

Nordmann fir is now the biggest selling Christmas tree. It's slightly more expensive than a Norway spruce and has little fragrance however, it's tough and crucially retains its needles for longer.

The foliage is soft and glossy, which make it child-friendly. 

Blue spruce

The needles of this tree have a lovely silver-blue tinge, which makes it a popular option, although they are rather prickly. The tree holds its needles well and they generally have a good symmetrical form. 

Serbian spruce

Again, similar to the Norway spruce, but with slightly better needle retention. These trees have an attractive blue underside to the needles and have a lovely slender shape making them suited to smaller homes or corridors. Buy late again because of needle drop.

Douglas fir

These are very popular in the US since the 1920s and the types you see on most American festive TV sitcoms.  They have soft, dark green or blue green needles. The tree is popular for its good needle retention and a lovely citrus fragrance. It's a statement tree and they can grow extremely large.

Make your real Christmas tree last

• Keep it outside or in a cool place for as long as possible before moving it inside.
• When you're ready to decorate it, chop a couple of centimetres off the stump and put it in water straightaway.
• If you have a cat, keep your phone handy to film it clawing its way to the top. YouTube hasn’t enough of those types of videos.
• Christmas trees don't like heat. Water it every day as they drink a lot in a heated house and try to position it away from radiators and open fires.
• Always turn your Christmas tree lights off before watering and going to bed.