I've never had a 'real' Xmas tree, but want one this year - Help?

[MooMinCow]

so, basics please as am totally ignorant about how to choose one. Don't want huge (4/5 ft), but sick of my old plasticky tree and yearning for something that smells pine-y and christmassy!

Do they shed everywhere? Any particular variety? Do they need to be watered/sprayed , how does it stay upright?

You have to treat it like a pot plant: water it and don't put it too close to a radiator. For the first time this year I have invested in a stand with an integrated water bowl (v available at B&Q for about 10 quid) and it's made it very very easy to put up and water.

Mine generally shed a little bit but with the watering it's been fine. You should also keep them outside as long as possible but I've relented already and it's up!

Ours never smell but I wish they did!

Only the old stylee Norway Spruces shed everywhere. Get a Nordman Fir or similar, they cost a bit more but don't drop much. We soak ours in a biiiig bucket overnight and then stick it in a tree stand. DH then waters it a few times.

You will def need a tree stand. Lots of places that sell the trees also sell the stands.

Yes, you definatly need a stand with a water resevoir (sp?). And saw off about an inch of trunk (like cutting off ends of flower stalks) before you put it in the stand. This is well worth the effort, as it helps the tree suck up water more easily.

We just bought an 8ft Fraser Fir for £40. It smells absolutely lovely and v bushy right to the top, with a thinner trunk than a Nordmann, and smaller needles. It will not shed much.

The Norway Spruce wll shed like hell but is very cheap.

Nordman Fir will keep its needles well too, but is more expensive- round here its about £40 for a 4/5ft one.

I'm also a real tree newbie this year and am now the proud owner of a lovely 6ft one.

As far as I can tell all you need this stand which is so easy to use even I can use it. And a Nordman Christmas tree. When you get it home saw a few cms off the base of the trunk before you put it in the stand. Done.

Mine's been up since Saturday and hasn't dropped a thing. You top up the base with a bit of water every day.

The stand is a bit £ but the reviews are all true as far as I can see and it'll be used for years.

Right so Nordman Fir, yes to water and stand - thank you! And do you just dispose as garden waste after chrimbo?

I've got the same stand as bendy ibs - it really is good. We did get it for about £15 on offer though about 7 years ago. We always get a nordman fir - about £35 for a 5/6ft one this year at homebase.

Put the tree in the stand when it's still in it's netting - much easier to get it straight. Once you've cut the netting off leave it to drop for a while, ideally overnight though I can never wait.

Gah, the same stand as BendyBobs not bendy ibs!

Oh (last message, I promise) the Council will probably do a special Christmas tree collection - ours do.

I have to add that when ours arrived it looked very demure and tasteful. After half and hour with the DCs and me it now looks like Pat Butcher on a night out.

Same advice to offer as everyone else really. Lots of water. Chop the bottom off if you can (we don't always though) Old-style trees (Norway Spruce type) shed like hell but smell divine. Nordman Fir doesn't drop but less smell.

It really ought to almost graze the ceiling, tis the law you know

Council collect ours in a special collection after Christmas, perhaps yours will too?

We have had our Nordman Fir for 3 years now!!!! They are FAB!

The only thing is I think it's sad after Christmas when they get thrown away What do you do with them? Is there a special Christmas tree abattoir?

Has anyone tried the bleach solution thing? I've read about it but never dared to try.

We always have a Nordman, we have a tree stand with a water reservoir, but never use it & the tree hardly drops anything, even though it's situated next to a radiator and our house is HOT!

Don't cut the spike shorter and leave it touching the ceiling. Pine resin is impossible to remove.

OK, so am proud owner of a 4ft Nordman Fir I loves it! We got it and the cheapy stand from Homebase, but DH is not happy with the stand so has gone back to get the pedal one. Kids so excited about decorating it, but think will leave it to soak up some water and decorate tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice

Not all councils collect (ours doesn't - grrrr) but they can be disposed of as garden waste.

We leave our Nordman in a bucket and then slip that into a wicker basket, it looks LOVELY!!!!