Talk to me about christmas trees - real or fake?

[Pipbin]

We have a fake christmas tree that is about 15 years old and was a cheap one from Woolworths. We got it when we were dirt poor and it is a really cheap and nasty one. Most of our decorations are ones that I don't really like much but as they were sold somewhere I worked they were missed off a stocktake bought with staff discount.

This year is the first time in our married life that we are going to spend christmas at home, so we are going to have a tree.

Should we get a real one? How much do they cost? Could we plant a real one in the garden and bring it back in each year?
Who makes a good, but not stupid expensive, fake tree?
We don't have DC but we do have a cat!

If I couldn't have real I'm not sure I'd bother.
We have three, two 8' indoors and one outside.
It's a big spend every year but we all think it's well worth it.

poolomoomon send me a Christmas Tree grow local to us and they're great lads, really nice. We go at the beginning of December and tramp around in the muddy plantation choosing the ones we want. Last year I wasn't well so ordered on line and we were still really pleased with the trees we got. So much so that I've already ordered online this year. I had a discount code, so look out for one.

I've no idea what an off cut tree is (my phone is trying to take over typing privileges) but yes there are always lots left! Usually just regular Christmas trees, occasionally you can drop lucky and get one of the really nice ones - still £1

elQuintoConyo- and yet you are able to spend money on a computer and internet service.

I grew up with an artificial tree (silver no less) and loved it. I've never had a real tree but I've seen a few and they're never quite as bushy as I want. This year we've moved house and have a big bay window so we've had an amazing new 7' 6" tree from John Lewis, I'm so excited. It's the most realistic fake tree I've seen.

Which elquinto can use all year round. Unlike a Christmas tree.

So why celebrate chistmas at all then commander- if it is all just a waste.

MrsDeVere Glad to hear that! Just what I was imagining, pink and sparkly what's not to love (Im a boring red and gold girl- but with loads of sparkle). I want a massive house so I can have different themed trees in each room

Have I missed something here? What business of ours is it how Quinto decides to spend her money?
Firstly, it's her money and she can do what she likes.
Secondly, not having a real tree is not like she is saying she should cancel Christmas.

Thirdly, are you honestly questioning why she has an Internet connection and a computer when she is saying money is a bit tight? Have you visited the real world recently? You need some kind of Internet (which can be accessed through a mobile phone with 3G) to do just about anything these days including signing on and applying for jobs. Do you think she should sell her car to get a real tree? Or maybe if she had value brand food rather than better quality stuff. Or why does she have a fridge. They are expensive? It's like people who bleat on about people on benefits having 'flat screen TVs', you've not been able to buy anything other than flat screen TVs for about 10 years.
A real tree IS a waste of money. It is lovely for about a month and then binned. But if you have the money for one then why not have one. I'm lucky, I'm now in a position where spending £35 - £50 on something that actually has no purpose other than to look nice is something I can do. But not everyone can.

Anyway. Rant over.

If I get a real tree, how do I look after it? What does it stand in?

pipbin your post made me laugh. You harping on about how we shouldn't judge and then say "A real tree IS a waste of money."

In your opinion.

In my opinion then.

But I would like to see the argument proving that a real Christmas tree is better value than an Internet connection.

It depends on your values. I don't care where you place your priorities. String fairy lights on a toilet brush if you like.
I spend £80 on a christmas tree every year. Money well spent in my book.

Wonderful good for you dear.
If you don't care then why did you question someone else having the audacity to spend money on an Internet connection and a computer rather than a REAL TREE.

Won't someone think of the children.

"So why celebrate chistmas at all then commander- if it is all just a waste"

Who says I do?

commander not sure why you are interested in christmas trees if you don't do christmas.

Blue, the only comment Commander has made on this thread is that a computer and internet access can be used all year round, unlike a real Christmas tree, which is a plain statement of fact. How you can twist that into not celebrating Christmas I have no idea.

I think you have had too many sherrys, shall I call you a cab for AIBU?

Anyway, this thread had been derailed in a spectacular fashion.
How do I care for a real tree?

Pipbin, the advice from Gardening Which? magazine is to get a stand that has a large water reservoir, and treat your tree as a living plant. Choose a tree that smells and feels fresh, it should have firm springy branches and needles. Avoid ones that look 'dried up' or are shedding lots of needles if shaken. Try to choose your tree before it is netted, and remember that those in pieces of wood as a stand may not be very fresh. Non-drop varieties of Christmas trees are often more expensive than the usual Norway spruce.

At home, saw a couple of inches off the tree trunk and place in water immediately (if buying a cut tree) a bucket will do temporarily. Trees naturally heal the cut, so sawing the trunk end off opens up the water channels so that it can drink. Remove any tatty lower branches. Position the stand away from direct heat like radiators and install your tree, add water to the reservoir. You will need to top it up daily, as trees can absorb as much as a pint a day. You can minimise the needle drop considerably by looking after it, and it could last for up to 3 weeks.

We used to stand our cut tree in a plastic tub full of gravel which added weight to prevent it overbalancing, and added water to that. If you do this you will need to partly fill the tub with gravel, position the tree trunk as centrally as possible, then fill up to about 2-3 inches from the top. Best done with one person holding the tree while another pours the gravel. Don't try to lift when full as it will be very heavy, fill the tub where you intend it to stand.

With a rooted potted tree, again position away from direct heat and keep watering it. If you keep it in a pot outside until next Christmas, you will need to feed and water it periodically to keep it healthy. When you bring it into the house again, you may find that insects have hibernated in the branches. I had loads of ladybirds in one of mine! They woke up in the warm house and I had to gather them all and put them outside. I felt really mean!

Can I get an 8ft nordic extra-spikey jobby for £10? My house is too small but I know somewhere else I can stick it.

What are you doing spending money you don't have? Think of the children.

I LOVE a real tree.

We always buy a Fir, rather than a Spruce, as they have nice soft needles.

Price depends entirely on size. We mostly pay about £30ish for a 4ft. But last year I went tree shopping without DH and so came home with a 6ft for £45.

You can buy them rooted. And I would guess you can plant them and dig them up again. In theory. Not something I've tried.

The brilliant Dave Allen on how difficult it is to acquire a good Christmas tree and on how difficult it is to get rid of it after Christmas.....at 4.51 mins in.

So, Pipbin, have I put you off having a real tree? If I haven't, I'd say go for it.

I think we will. I'm just not sure about what to stand it in.

Pipbin, we have two options with our trees depending on how big and full they turn out to be.
One is a big tub, no drain holes, which we fill with compost and gravel (in situ) bring the tree indoors, still netted* and then put in position, with some logs as wedges if necessary.

The other is a stand like a bit dish that has a central column with three screw clamps. You fit the tree into the inner column and then clamp it in position. The dish part is kept topped up with water.
This method means the tree is slightly lower to the ground and possibly more secure, but is also dependent on the circumference of the tree trunk.

*cut and remove the net once the tree is fixed in position