![]() An alternative is to run your hands through the branches and see how many fall off. Not all trees are the same however - the needles on a Norway Spruce tend to drop more, so the drop test might not be the best indication of how fresh these trees are. ‘Hold the tree a few inches above the ground and drop it if quite a few needles fall off then the tree is not fresh. The drop test – ‘Checking the needles of a tree is the best indication as to what sort of condition it’s in and one way to test this is with the drop test,’ advises Chris.‘Take a good look at the whole tree to check for any grey or brown colouring.’ Ideally, the tree should be a shiny, glossy green. Check the colour – ‘The first and most obvious thing to check when buying your tree is the colour of it,’ says Chris.Here are a few things you should try and keep in mind when hunting for a healthy festive fir: Some sellers paint their trees so it’s definitely worth doing some other things to check the freshness of the tree.’ 'Checking the colour of the tree alone isn’t really good enough in helping you to determine how fresh it is. ‘Picking a healthy tree that’s in good condition for the holidays is really important and it will determine how well your tree looks throughout Christmas,' says Chris Bonnet, Founder, GardeningExpress (opens in new tab). When choosing your real Christmas tree, the key is to choose a healthy one - this will have a huge impact on how long it will last in your home, and how good it will look over the festive period. You'll also need to decide between a cut tree and a pot-grown tree, which pretty much do what they say on the tin. What's important is whether your love the tree and can visualise it in your home - and that you have the space to accommodate it of course. Most garden centres will offer a variety of tree types, and though it's useful to keep in mind the different species, try not to get too hung up on selecting the 'best' one. The U.K.'s most popular tree however is the Nordmann Fir because it loses very few needles, meaning your tree will remain green and full, with the right care. Fraser Fir - a tall, slim shape and green ‘needle-last’ needles that don’t drop easily, ideal for smaller spaces.ĭespite its name, the Norway Spruce is grown throughout Britain and is often considered to be the most traditional Christmas tree.Norway Spruce - a bushy, classically-shaped tree, packed with short green needles and a lovely pine scent.Blue Spruce - mixes a good width with a beautiful blue and silver tint, caused by the resin it produces to protect its needles.Nordmann Fir - a well-balanced ‘A’ shape and strong branches covered with glossy needles.There are four main types of real Christmas trees that are commonly brought into the home during the festive season. To make sure you are getting a British-grown tree that meets strict freshness standards, look for a Grown in Britain logo, a non-profit organisation that champions home-grown forest products and plants. 'This means the tree begins to warm up, drop needles and decompose at a much quicker rate.’ ‘Trees left in netting also aren’t able to benefit from air circulation and begin to form a micro-climate,' explains expert Craig Roman. 'Bringing a tape measure to the store and double checking the dimensions is a good idea to avoid any disappointment and save you a return trip to the store if you find that your tree is too big or small once you get it home.'Īvoid buying a Christmas tree ready-wrapped, as the netting won't give you a clear idea of the exact size and shape of the tree, and may leave you with bent branches. 'Make sure the area has a plug nearby, for your Christmas lights – corners are ideal, as it will keep your tree safe from knocks and bumps.' 'To ensure your Christmas tree is the right size, come equipped with the height, depth and width measurements of the area where you picture your tree at home,' says Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director, Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in new tab). Before we start thinking about Christmas tree trends, it's important to get the basics in place so that you can buy the right Christmas tree for your home.
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