Fake trees

[TheHouseofMirth]

We usually have a real one but they are so expensive and I've just had an email from Homebase with 8' trees half price here

Are they horrible though?

I wouldn't get one without seeing it IRL.

We have the same fake tree bought when DD was 3. Its nice, doesn't shed and its part of the family tradition for DD to comment each year how it used to be taller

( I mean we have the same fake tree that we bought when DD was 3, not that we have the same one you linked to)

Id strongly recommend against b&q. they are over priced and very low quality. www.gardenxl.com do a lovely selction of artificial trees, the wentworth and kelso trees and they deliver free of charge

am aware im starting to sound like a sales person, however I never liked or considered fake trees until I saw their selection!

I didn't like the look of Homebase trees, poor quality and appearance.

Look at garden centres for better selection and quality, imo. O.K they might be an expensive initial outlay for a decent one, but they can last many years if looked after, and they look great when decorated. I've just looked at that website from NordicPrincess, and their trees look fab to me. Might be worth noting the details of ones you like, and browse the web to find stockists near to you so that you can have a look in RL. Obviously, all the photos online are enhanced, which is why you need to see in RL.

We got a gorgeous 7 ft tree from B&Q 5-6 years ago. We left it in Australia when we moved back to the UK though.

Have got a 7ft slim tree from Next which was £50. Very pleased with it.

I've just bought this one from B & Q this year.

A real one isn't as expensive as those and so much prettier and smells divine.

Noddyholder we have 11' high ceilings and like to have a tall tree. A 8' high real tree is about £80+.

I think we'll just have to go and look at them. Of course they won't smell the same...

A real one isn't as expensive as those

But you have to get a new real tree every year. Ours is 8 now - I don't think I'm ever going to have to replace it. Wouldn't be suprised if DD inherits it

My fake tree came from a garden centre (Burford in Oxford when I lived up that way) and was £50 for a blue spruce. Expensive at the time (15 years ago) but looks lovely and is excellent value over these number of years. It is very easy to put up and take down (comes in three parts which slot together and all branches attached) and still looks as good as new. I am very happy with it and expect it to last another 15 years no problem. For pine needle smell I simply light a pine scented candle!

However - the cheap fake one we have at work looks cheap, takes ages to put together (each branch has to be individually placed onto the central pole). Never get one like that!

Definitely go look at it before you buy it, and look at how easily/quickly it goes up (and down again!)

We've been using the same fake tree for 11 years. We found it in the loft when we moved in. I love real trees but couldn't be bothered with all the needles and then getting rid of the thing in the new year. By the time the DCs have smothered it in shit decorated it, I don't think it makes much difference whether it's a nice or crap fake tree.

If you have 11ft ceilings you should have a real tree!Get the hoover out you lazy moos it is once a year you cannot call something plastic a tree

The point of it is for DD to decorate it.

If I want the smell of conifers I'll go for a walk in the woods. I like live trees, not dying ones.

Let a child decorate a tree?[faints]

She's 11, started by 'helping' but for the last couple of years only needs me to put the star on top.

She does it almost exactly the same as she'd seen me do it for the previous 7 years

we got our last year from Wilko's - the really cheap 6ft one.

it's fine

obviously not as good as a real one, but we have nowhere to get rid of it, and we're now poor.
(oh ,and I don't live with an appalling snob anymore! - i love fake trees!)

MrsTedHughes, I've had real trees and fake trees. My considered opinion now is that a real tree is not worth all the effort for just a 'smell'.

I don't do scented plug ins either!

The OP is concerned about the price of real trees, and is looking for alternatives. She wants an 8ft tree which is very expensive if she buys a real one. Logically, a fake one would probably pay for itself after a couple of years.

If the OP were to buy a shorter real tree, how would you suggest she increase it's height to what she ideally wants?

Put it on a vintage heirloom walnut tree stand

I do really want a real tree but I'm not sure we can continue to justify the cost. Also, last year they delivered a tree that was way too big (see pic on profile). At least with a fake one I'd know what I was letting myself in for.

i bought a fake one a few yrs ago, only used it once. It looked ok, but was only £30 and each branch had to be attached individually and it was a chore not a joy!

Investing in a better one that slots together like other have said sounds easier.

I flogged it next year and bought a real one and it was great. Luckily I only buy max 6ft, and one year paid £20, but last year paid £12!! Some grower was selling them outside Morrisons.

I think its fab!not too big I would love that.I used to live in west wimbledon Durham road!

noddy you could decorate your sideburns!!

fake trees are fine. Save you money and hassle.

If I was going to go fake, I'd get a glitzy coloured one and make it a Big Fake Statement Tree.

looking at that tree, and knowing i only had a 6 ft one, those individuas branches will drive you nuts.

they refuse to go back in the box too!!! they are all numbered or 'lettered' lol!! and my dd tried to help but we did get a bit frustrated.