Try to use a supplier that buys from a British sustainable source, such as a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association or the Forestry Commission (both use an environmental code of practice).

real christmas tree tips

Once you've got your tree home, remove any packaging and stand it in water outside until you are ready to bring it into the house.

Don't be tempted to bring the tree into your home too early in the run up to Christmas. For minimum needle drop, aim to have the tree indoors for no more than three weeks.
Never allow the tree to dry out once it's indoors.

Keep the tree away from a direct heat source.

Water wonderland christmas tree care tips
To show just how important it is to keep your tree well watered throughout the holidays, we kept an extra Nordman fir and a Norway spruce entirely dry.

The Nordman fir lost more needles than when watered, its boughs drooped more, and its colour quickly faded to a slightly dull grey-green. The Norway spruce dropped substantially more needles than usual, so much so that the bottom branches were bare. This proved what I suspected - that watering works.

Testing conditions

Our trees were all British and from a sustainable source. We stored them outside in buckets of water, in a cool spot. Once indoors, each tree was placed in a Cinco 7 Christmas Tree Stand, with about 7.5cm sawn off the base. Small spikes pierced the base of the trunk, while bolts held it in place. The reservoir of the Cinco 7 was easy to top up, and we were careful to check levels daily, giving them more water when needed. The trees were placed around our house (where the average room temperature is 20°C) and kept away from radiators. We decorated each tree with an equal number of baubles, the same mix of weights and sizes, and an identical set of lights. We had many large family get-togethers over the holidays, so all the trees were equally brushed up against and admired.

Useful contacts

Jadecliff The Christmas Tree Specialists supplied our trees. Call 01635 254 485, or visit www.jadecliff.co.uk

British Christmas Tree Growers Association Call 0131 664 1100, or see www.christmastree.org.uk

Forestry Commission 0845 367 3787, www.forestry.gov.uk

Cinco Stand in different sizes from The Christmas Cabin. Call 01780 411144 or email info@thechristmascabin.com

*Tree prices and sizes given are an average and may vary.

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Christmas trees: Tried and tested

Top tips for a happy tree

Testing conditions

Useful contacts