If you have a real tree what type and when do you buy it?

[LazySusan11]

Last year bought one around 11th it was dead by Christmas Day! Love a real tree but I like to have one early December and enjoy it for as long as possible!

When do you get yours, what sort do you get and how do you make it last?

I have no idea what type of tree we have.

All I know is that we dig it up ourselves and DH replants it and we water it throughout December.

We get the tree generally the first weekend in December depending on DH's shifts. This year we will be tree digging on the 5th. I will then have all weekend to decorate it and the rest of the house.

We've had lots a different trees over the years but my favourite is the fraser fir especially if you want something long lasting. They aren't as bushy as other varieties so great if you don't have a lot of space. They also smell lovely, have good needle retention and the branches are really strong so you can chuck plenty of stuff on it the one we had last year still looked great when we took it down in January!
The only slightly negative thing is that frasers aren't as spready as the nordman for example, and some people don't like the dense branches as they are quite packed together.
If you're going to buy a pre cut tree I wouldn't leave it too late as most are cut at the same time anyway and you will just have a limited choice. Don't forget to cut a piece off the bottom and put it in a stand that holds water (basically treat it like cut flowers). Stay away from the Norway spruces- they're only good for outside.