talk to me about real tree's

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

dh has said we can have one, yay, but where do I start, what do I get, when, from where, what else do I need, like a stand or somthing.
Can you get an alive one in a pot, where from, would that be ok to keep in the garden and use again nbext year.
How much do they cost?
And any other info you feel is essential.
TIA

Do be wary if you buy one in a pot. My parents did that one year. After Xmas my Dad went out with his spade, dug a hole for the tree and then discovered that the tree was chopped off and just planted into the pot. No roots.

And they paid more than for a normal one

We have always had real trees. Try and get a Douglas Fir (I think), the ones with softer needles. Some trees are very prickly, some less so.

If you don't get one with roots you will need a stand to put it in. You fill up the base with water - we use a water/lemonade mix to make the tree last longer. Don't let the tree dry out or the needles will just fall off.

Also be sure to saw off a couple of inches from the trunk to open up the water channels, or it won't be able to take up water! They heal as soon as they are cut for sale.

We used to stand our cut tree in a plastic bin with gravel and water, which was very heavy and held the tree upright really well.

Someone in B&Q (or Homebase, can't remember now) said to cut the base off then stand the tree in ouch hot water as this helps liquefy the resin and allows more water to be taken up. Then keep it topped up.