Real Christmas Tree

[HoseMeDownWithHolyWater]

I've never had a real tree before. I'm contemplating getting one for outside.

Please could you let me know

1. how early is too early for a real tree? I don't want it to die before Christmas Day

2. what kind of pot/stand is the best? Do I need to water it?

3. is it better to "rent" one each year?

I feel like such an idiot asking these questions but it's all new to me!

In my experience now is fine. All real trees are already cut (unless you cut your own!) So they are slowly drying out. I bought mine yesterday. Today I've cut the bottom and put it in water.

I then leave it to settle for a couple of days before decorating. Always use a pot with a water reservoir, they need to drink lots - particularly for the first couple of days.

Never rented one so can't comment there

Thank you.

And thank you for not making me feel stupid! 🤣

If you're planning to display it outside, why not consider a potted tree so you don't need to worry about watering it. It can either remain in its pot or be planted out after Christmas and then reused the following year.

We bought a pot grown one today for indoors, in hope we can put it outside after Christmas and repot it to a bigger pot. Hoping we can use it again next year.

Get a real tree! They look lovely, smell nice and are 100% natural.

People make like it’s a black art but all you need to do is look at the tree first. If it’s half dead when you buy it it won’t get better.
I get a cheap Norway Spruce. The spiky ones. They do drop a little but it makes your hoover smell nice. It’ll be fine as long as long as it’s not too hot (turn the radiator off next to it). All the others cost an absolute fortune.
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Trees seal their trunks when cut. Then slowly dry out. So lop the end off and plonk it in water for a week outside. It can fill up then.
I keep mine in a plant pot ( a no holes one) full of water with 3 strategically placed bricks. I top it up in the beginning but forget by the end. Tree is always fine.

All real trees are already cut (unless you cut your own!) So they are slowly drying out

That's true for the majority of imported trees but not the domestically grown ones. The tree farm locally cuts twice a week from now until Christmas. The trees are mostly fine outside in the cold, it's bringing them to a warm dry environment that dries them out.

OP, the two most common types are Nordman Fir (more expensive, doesn't drop needles much, more minimalist in shape) and Norway Spruce (cheaper, your classic full bushy Christmas tree shape, smells fantastic but drops needles). You choose what matters most (Norway Spruce for the scent for me, Nordman for the lack of mess for my brother - we never agree on anything)

Unless it's been freshly cut, slice a piece off the trunk so it can drink water. Treat it like a vase of flowers and keep the base of the trunk in water at all times (then yellk at your stupid cat for drinking tree water instead of his own clean water).

If you can position it away from a heat source like a radiator or fire, it will last longer. A watered tree inside should last a good three weeks. I'd leave buying it a while for your first year in case it sheds more than you expect (or you don't remember to water it enough) and adjust your dates accordingly next year.