Real Christmas trees

[usn90]

Want to have a real tree this year, I m not familiar with the different types, we ve bought a stand capable of holding water, which would you recommend for the nice smell and not
Dropping needles as much?

Would like to buy one within the next 2 weeks so longevity is a factor too

[trickywoo]

It’s quite difficult to buy a needle dropping tree in the Uk these days.

Nordman trees are the norm and are resistant to dropping. The needles tend to be bigger than the og trees we used to get in the Uk. They smell ok.

Cut an inch off the stem and put in water for the best longevity but unless your house is really hot they will last the Christmas period ok without any special treatment.

I’m waiting to see the price this year. Wonder if we’ll top £60 for a standard height tree.

[PushedDover]

Too Early !!




(but i would vere towards independent nurseries / outlets - and you'll pay more, but benefit)

[usn90]

trickywoo said:

It s quite difficult to buy a needle dropping tree in the Uk these days.

Nordman trees are the norm and are resistant to dropping. The needles tend to be bigger than the og trees we used to get in the Uk. They smell ok.

Cut an inch off the stem and put in water for the best longevity but unless your house is really hot they will last the Christmas period ok without any special treatment.

I m waiting to see the price this year. Wonder if we ll top £60 for a standard height tree.

In b&q a 7ft was £60, pretty sure that was a nordman

Not sure that b&q would be the best place to buy however

Edited by usn90 on Saturday 15th November 20:51

[QuickQuack]

We get a frazer fir which is great at holding its needles. We have quite tall ceilings and they are quite narrow trees, so a 13' tree looks great . We usually get it at the beginning of December for logistical reasons and it comes down in January. As long as it's watered daily, it stays fresh and lives through the entire season. The key is getting them as fresh as possible. We get ours from a Christmas tree farm not far from here, but I'm sure there others up and down the country. Ours is cut on the day it's delivered, it's put up the same day and it's not without water for an extended period. You should also cut a few cm from the bottom of the trunk before putting the tree up and watering it, just like you should with flowers.

If you're in Northamptonshire/South Leicestershire, we get ours from Welford Christmas Tree Farm:

https://welfordchristmastreefarm.co.uk/

15 years ago, they were just operating out of a shed, but have been very succesful and have really expanded over the last few years. Fantastic local business. This year, it will be our 16th consecutive Christmas tree from them.

[usn90]

Thanks

Looked up tree farms nearby and the ivy cottage wilmslow
Is recommended.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

I buy the 1st week in December and leave it outside for a week or two ... They probably fell them in November in any case, so you get a better choice being a bit early.

[Chrisgr31]

Buy your tree from a chain store or many garden centres and the chances are it was cut down weeks ago, hasn’t been stored in water etc so will not have a long life.

Buy it direct from a tree farm and you may get to cut it down or dig it up yourself! It’s likely to be a lot fresher

[Chrisgr31]

Buy your tree from a chain store or many garden centres and the chances are it was cut down weeks ago, hasn’t been stored in water etc so will not have a long life.

Buy it direct from a tree farm and you may get to cut it down or dig it up yourself. Even if not it’s likely to be fresher

[hmg]

I was so glad when the kids grew up and I didn’t have to do that annual dad thing and go traipsing round every tree seller within a 10 mile radius in the vain attempt of trying to find that ‘perfect tree’ and be relieved of £70 for the privilege…then another £10 for the local scout group to take it away.

Bought a very high quality fake tree a few years ago..which paid for itself within a few years…it fits our spot perfectly and funnily enough I never have to saw off the bottom or hack off the top or that annoying sticky out branch..

Real tree always looked great out in the field but the reality was always a PIA and it’s always your fault when you get it back home and the missus says ‘what in earth did you choose that one for? ‘ ggrrr!

Rant over… Ba Humbug

[21TonyK]

A freshly cut tree kept in water and away from heat lasts for ages and doesnt drop (much!)

16 years of picking and cutting a tree with the kids, ignoring the type, same results every year.

[C Lee Farquar]

I have quite a few 6' plus trees, North Oxon, should anyone be looking for a larger one. Still growing.

[DonkeyApple]

usn90 said:

Want to have a real tree this year, I m not familiar with the different types, we ve bought a stand capable of holding water, which would you recommend for the nice smell and not
Dropping needles as much?

Would like to buy one within the next 2 weeks so longevity is a factor too

Should be absolutely fine. The key will just be picking the right place to buy from.

I'd swerve supermarkets and random locations staffed by people with missing teeth. Pick an established business that's been selling trees for years and has a reputation to protect when they allow in the tree selling operators. Pretentious garden centres and arboretums are pretty good places to start.

Then as others have said, cut some of the trunk off and then keep in water and away from heat. The one we put in the hall always lasts longest and I'm sure it's because the hall isn't heated.

[usn90]

We went to a local recommended tree farm yesterday and chose a tree still in the ground, chose to collect at the beginning of December where it will be cut on the day.

7 foot Fraser fir just over £60 which was actually a small amount cheaper than a pre cut at B&Q, an added bonus was that it was quite a nice niche with the kids choosing one, could make quite a nice yearly tradition.

[JimM169]

Surely half the fun of a Christmas tree is still getting the needles stuck in your foot 6 mths after it came down!!
Loved a real tree as a kid but the non drop varieties these days just don't have the right look or smell so we've caved and have an artificial

Sorry OP as that is obviously of no use to you!!