Tell me what I need to know...first real tree

[Noroof]

We have an artificial tree that gets rolled out every year but this year after having an extension we now have 2 living areas so I would like to put a real tree in the grown up room. I have no idea on cost, where to get it and how to care for it. Help!

The needles will get stuck in the carpet for years to come.

Got our first real Christmas tree last year and promptly threw out our fake one. We got it from a tree farm. Chopped a good couple of inches off the bottom and left stood outside in a bucket of water before bringing it inside.

Lasted until twelfth night with little needle drop.

Can't wait to get my tree again🎄

Choose a needle retaining variety like Nordman Spruce or Fraser Fir. Make sure you get a stand which will hold water - also make sure the stand is the right size for your tree - if it's too small the tree may topple and too big you won't be able to clamp the trunk properly. Make sure you chop off at least 1/2 inch from base of tree (I thought it was a good couple of inches and just Googled and apparently 1/2 inch is fine) once you get it home before putting it up. Keep the water topped up and make sure you don't put it near a radiator (or switch the radiator off).

We have always had real trees. If you get it from a forestry place so it's fresh you shouldn't have any problems. They can be expensive though. I think we pay around £ 50 for a 8 ft tree.

Yes, try to put it in water outdoors between buying and decorating.

When buying, DO look for one that still looks fresh and healthy, and don't accept one whose needles are dry and dropping and withered looking compared to others, or that a lot of needles are lost from lower branches (or they drop when you touch a branch!). I know there are varieties that are not as prone to needle drop, but we don't tend to worry about that as the type we like is "prone to shedding" but is usually good for us if we pick carefully. Buying trees which are stored outdoors tends to have better results if you have a choice, rather than ones indoors in shops (I presume you are not yet looking to go into the woods and identify a tree to be chopped for you at a tree farm).

Definitely cut off the end to expose fresh bark just when you are putting it into the stand.

Use a stand with a well for water, and keep that topped up daily (it may take a pint or 2 most days!).

Turn off radiator or at least keep room cool at times it is not being used (our "good" room has a wood burning stove as well, so we tend to use that for the Christmas season rather than the central heating - although the heating is on in other rooms).

Take your DH or DP with you. Insist that they hold up every tree you think might be OK, even those right at the back of the piles. Then make him turn each one completely around so you can assess the best side. When he has repeated this with at least a dozen trees, tell him that actually you liked the first one best and please can he force it into the car or fix it on the roof with the ties he has forgotten to bring.

Then do all the sensible things recommended above,

TrickyD !!!

Although assessing from all sides is an important consideration!!

Ooh exciting thanks! As we no longer have a lift I just can't justify storage for more than one tree so this will be an excellent solution. We are fairly rural so lots of places selling trees that are grown here etc. Can't wait!

We get a pot grown one. We like to get one on the first of December, but a cut one is likely to be a twig by Christmas.

One day it'll be nice to have one survive to use the following year, but it hasn't happened yet.

Water it (mistake year one) Check your stand doesn’t leak! (Mistake year two) don’t put it by a radiator!
Feed it full sugar lemonade or dissolve sugar into water - helps them last longer!

I don’t bother with a stand. I shove it in one of those useless flower pots that have no holes with three bricks wedged in for balance. Fits loads of water in ( tree in first).

Choosing the tree is the best bit. Remeber the branches bend down loads with decks on.
Saw a wedge of the bottom to allow the tree to soak up water outside for a few days. Then when you bring it in, it’ll last until Jsnuary.

Ours always goes in a big bucket of wet gravel - after dh has sawn a slice off the bottom.
A fresh non-drop one always lasts well from about mid December to 6th Jan - with the water topped up daily. (I wrap red paper around the bucket.).
It's not a good idea to have a real tree if you want it up in mid November, though.

Water, water, water! Makes all the difference to the amount of needles it drops and also how flammable it is. You can’t beat the smell of a real tree, we always have them.

Flammable?! Shit I didn't think of that

No more flammable than the acres of plastic on a fake tree! And fewer toxic fumes.

Shouldn’t be an issue unless you have real candles lit on the branches or place it too close to candles or an open fire.

Fab...no candles and no open flames in our house so that's great

Put a big bed sheet down in boot of car or wrap it in an old duvet to save the car when transporting.
Getting rid of it - lots of charities pick it up for a donation, our local hospice does ours