Christmas trees: Tried and tested

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia)
£20 for 1.5m tree*

Our tree had a good, tight shape with slightly twisted, yellowish-green needles, which grow in pairs of up to 9cm long. There was no noticeable scent. Lighting cables were disguised easily, but the long needles made it difficult to slip the decorations on.

There was little droop, although the tree changed shape slightly as the branches opened out - rather like a pine cone - over the first few days of testing.

Although the needle drop was only very slight, the length of the needles clogged up the vacuum nozzle.

Verdict: A break from the traditional look, this tree made a very attractive feature.

• Needle drop 16/20
• Shape 19/20
• Colour 18/20
• Scent 8/20
• Ease of decoration 17/20
• Overall 78/100

Norway spruce(Picea abies)
£15-£19.95 for 1.5m tree*

The traditional British Christmas tree for many years and native to southern Scandinavia, central and southern Europe, the Norway spruce was planted extensively as a forest tree in the 18th century.

Pointed, short, dark-green needles stand on tiny pegs and have a slight pine scent. The gently drooping branches on our tree formed a conical shape, while spaces between the branches made it an easy tree to decorate and the baubles hung freely.

However, on the down side, lighting wires needed to be positioned carefully in order to cover them from view. Regular top-ups of water were required and, by the end of the test, there was moderate to heavy needle drop. The heavier mirror ball baubles we used were also drooping noticeably.

Verdict: Good for children, as the baubles went on easily, but lost a lot of its spikes.

• Needle drop 10/20
• Shape 16/20
• Colour 17/20
• Scent 14/20
• Ease of decoration 18/20
• Overall 75/100

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