Before you decide, real or fake, or before you even buy a tree, read our essential tips.
By Clare Steel
Never buy a bagged up tree that you can’t see – even if it’s inconvenient, it’s worth asking the shopkeeper to cut the bag open so you can get a proper look at it. If you absolutely can’t open the bag up, at least try to ensure the tree is well-proportioned – you should be able to tell whether there is too much foliage at the bottom of the tree or not enough at the top. If you’re buying a real tree and it’s going to displayed in front of a large window, make sure all four sides look as good as possible. If the tree is going to be placed against a wall or a corner, three good sides are enough.
Work out the tree’s ideal height before you buy – whether it’s real or fake, taking into account the extra height added by a bucket. If you want a taller a tree but are doing Christmas on a budget, line up a small table that you can stand it on (checking its height before you shop). Bear in mind the tree’s width, too – and be prepared to trim it to get it into a corner or against a wall.
'Christmas trees fall into two broad categories: firs and spruces,' says Kirstie Allsopp. 'Firs don’t shed their needles and are bushier, while spruces have spiky blue green needles, which fall. Spruces are a little cheaper, but whichever variety you choose, look out for a tree that’s compact and well proportioned, with no long straggly branches. If you’re buying pre-cut, tap the trunk on the ground and if most of the needles stay on, you’ll know it’s fresh.'
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