DEC 11 - A real proper Christmas Tree.

I have to admit it: I LOVE Christmas… and if there is one part of it I’d hate to do without, it’s a Christmas tree. No, I don’t mean a tinsley one or trendy black or brown one… I mean a tree complete with needles and ideally that wonderful aroma that only a real, proper Christmas tree can bring.

If you’re worried that real trees are not good for the planet, don’t forget that a British grown tree is most definitely not an ecological disaster zone - if you think about it, they’re a crop plant rather like a field of wheat except that they are generally given less fertiliser and fewer chemicals than many more run of the mill crop plants. So go on, make sure you buy one this Christmas!

There are a few things you ought to think about before you buy your tree, faced with rows of different types at often very varying prices. It can be really daunting, so have a read of my guide to real Christmas trees:

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the traditional tree, my favourite but perhaps not a favourite if you are more house proud. It has gorgeous dark green pointed needles and that unmistakable aroma but sadly it is the most likely to drop its needles. Having said that, if you treat it well, it won’t perform that badly and you can enjoy the lowest cost of the real trees.

The Scots pine is now a regular option as a Christmas tree, with its long paired blue-green needles it’s quite distinctive. The needles are fairly densely packed on the branches and they also hold quite well.

The Serbian Spruce (Picea omorica) has long been the favourite festive tree in central Europe, as it’s good looking and has good needle holding… but of course no Christmas-tree smell!

The Nordman fir (Abies nordmanniana) has become increasingly popular in recent years, with its shiny green needles being almost impossible to shift, so certainly a good choice for those who hate any mess.

The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is less regularly available, but the combination of its good looks and needle holding capacity make it well worth considering.

So, you’ve been persuaded to take the plunge, I hope? But how do you make sure you buy the best tree of the type you’ve decided on? And how do you help it keep its needles and its gorgeous appearance for as long as possible? It’s important not to buy a real tree too early as the longer they hang around after they’ve been cut, the more likely they are to go downhill.

I always try to buy a tree produced by a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association - the BCTGA logo should be on the tree or clearly displayed nearby. Take a bit of time to choose the tree - check that it has a good, full shape and that its not too gappy or lop-sided (or if it has the leans make sure that this will be hidden when the tree is in your house).

Check the needles - they need to be glossy (for those varieties where this is a characteristic) and the correct colour for the type of tree you’ve chosen. They also need to be free from pests and diseases - basically anything yellowed or inclined to shed, or with white fluffy bits should be avoided at all costs. Never buy a tree that has already been netted as this makes it a real lucky dip situation.

If you do buy one quite early then the most important thing is to keep it outside - just recut the end of the trunk (yes, its time to dig out your DIY saw) and put the tree in a bucket of water in a sheltered spot outside. If it was in a net when you bought it, remove this as it’s important to have air circulating around the needles.

When you bring the tree inside, try to avoid putting it anywhere too warm or close to a heat source and make sure that you use a stand with a water reservoir with water levels really well topped up - if kept well supplied with water then even the notorious (but lovely) Norway spruce Christmas tree should hold its needles well.

When Christmas is over and it’s time for the tree to come down, complete the green-loop and make sure you recycle it - they’re not the easiest thing to recycle or compost at home, but many councils and garden centres now offer a recycling and Christmas tree chipping service.

By Pippa Greenwood

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