What is the best type of Christmas tree?

It’s the big annual debate – what type of Christmas tree should we have?

Do you choose to buy a fake tree or a real tree? If real – what type? Here’s our guide to tree types that will hopefully help your decision, whether your concern is longevity or sustainability.

Fake trees

Fake trees, let’s face it, have zero sustainability credentials. They’re made from plastic, PVC and metal, then shipped all the way from China to your local DIY store or garden centre. According to research, the average household replaces their fake tree every four years, sending their old tree to landfill, where it will sit for the next millennium or so, disintegrating into the soil and waterways. Lovely. It’s estimated that a fake tree will need to be taken from the attic and redecorated a minimum of 10 times before it achieves the same carbon footprint of a real tree that is burned after Christmas, rather than chipped and used as mulch. 

However, real trees simply aren’t practical for every home. Those who want it in the sitting room may well have an open fire or wood burning stove, and these really aren’t conducive to keeping a real tree green and fresh for weeks. If your only space is close by a radiator – ditto. And as for underfloor heating – that can make the hardiest of trees droop within days. So if a fake tree is your only sensible option, how do you balance this with our natural concern for the environment?

Invest wisely in a tree that might cost more now, but you know will last you for a minimum of a decade. Shop around, user test the trees you see for sale – give them a ruffle to make sure the needles don’t scatter everywhere immediately, check the branches and any off-shoots are robust, and avoid the very cheapest, as these definitely aren’t designed to last. In the case of a fake tree, you certainly get what you pay for. If your current tree is on its last legs, a trip to see what can be found in the January sales is a good idea.

With the cost of a Nordman Fir (the most popular real tree) starting around £40, it will only take a few years of ‘what I might have spent’ to see a return on your investment.

Real trees

There are two main types of Christmas tree, the spruce and the fir. Back in the day, the spruce was our most commonly purchased Christmas tree, but its tendency to start dropping needles within minutes, and by Christmas Eve presenting us with a positive carpet of green below the tree, made its replacement by the fir, and in particular the Nordman fir, inevitable. 

One thing to keep in mind when buying a real tree is to check where it’s come from. Most trees are UK grown, with only a very few being imported, so that’s already good for the carbon footprint, but if you can find a retailer who buys local, that’s a win win. Finally, if you can find one that’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Certified, that will prove it’s been grown sustainably and with minimal pesticide use. 

If you’re heading to a local Christmas tree farm, or simply your local garden centre, this is what you can expect to find to choose from.

Norway spruce

Without doubt the best smelling real Christmas tree, with that fresh, almost minty scent, that just screams Christmas. As we have said however, the spruce is a shedder, making it a bit tricky to maintain in a centrally heated home. They’re perfect if you’re looking for an outdoor tree however, or maybe considering a live tree in its own pot, which you can keep nice and moist for the whole of the festive season and limit the drop. 

Nordman fir

This is the best of the non-drop firs, hanging onto its needles even when manhandled out of the house on twelfth night. It has a fresh, light green colour, is reliably symmetrical in shape and has a nice fat bottom, tapering to a Christmas fairy-friendly point.

Fraser fir

With it’s lovely fragrance and fresh green tones, the Fraser fir is a great choice for any festive home, but it’s real selling point is its shape – slimmer from the base than a Nordman fir, but with good height to width ratio, it’s great for tighter spaces, as you can still get the height you want without sacrificing too much of your floorspace.

Noble fir

Fresh green with a silvery tinge, this lovely tree has the thickest branches of all, making it perfect for hanging heavy decorations – if you’re planning the on-trend ‘go large’ style of décor this year, this is the one for you.

Blue spruce

Despite being a spruce, this one holds its needles quite well – though nowhere near as well as a Nordman fir. 

How long does a real Christmas tree last?

When choosing your tree, check how fresh and bright it is. Give the branches a bounce and gently tug at the needles. If they come away in your hand, it’s already a few weeks cut. Avoid anything with brown needles at all costs. A freshly cut tree should last a good six weeks, with care.

How to care for your real Christmas tree

To care for your tree, invest in a decent tree holder, with a reservoir into which you can pour fresh water every day. When you get the tree home, cut an inch or so off the bottom before you set it up. This will remove any dried resin that formed when the tree was cut, which would prevent water absorption from the reservoir. 

Real Christmas trees last best in cooler temperatures, so if you can, set it up away from radiators, or if you can’t place it elsewhere, turn the radiator down a little. It’s the perfect excuse to insist everybody wears their Christmas jumpers!

Christmas tree seller near us

Blossom Florist, Manchester Road, Chorlton

Eddie – Friday 8th December 2023. (Image used from JP & Brimelow marketing team).