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Garden Advice
A Detailed Guide to Buying a Real Christmas Tree
- Published: Oct 31/2017
- Last update: Oct 29/2024
- 9min read
- Views: 3,437
Nothing brings out the Christmas spirit like the smell of fresh pine needles from a real Christmas tree. If you’re considering buying a real Christmas tree, the tradition of picking out the perfect one and bringing it home is a favourite for many families.
If you still prefer the real thing, but don’t know where to start, read on! This Christmas tree-buying guide will answer all your questions.
So, if you are:
Then this article is for you!
Buying a live Christmas tree requires some preparation. You wouldn’t want to spend all that time looking for the perfect tree, only to find out it’s too big for your living room, right? So, here is what to pay attention to before beginning your journey.
While many families choose an artificial tree, there are many reasons why buying a real Christmas tree is still worth it. Yes, keeping a real Christmas tree fresh requires a bit more care, but the benefits are clear. And yes, you need to spend some time watering them and cleaning pine needles off the floor.
However, many love the joy of picking out the perfect live conifer. The smell and look of natural Christmas trees can’t compare to an artificial one, no matter how realistic some modern models can be.
Real Christmas trees have many environmental advantages that artificial ones just cannot equal. Growing on committed farms, these trees are part of a sustainable cycle: every tree removed guarantees no net deforestation since fresh seedlings are replaced.
Moreover, as they develop, actual trees take up carbon dioxide, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Once your tree is no longer in use, it can be recycled into mulch, therefore lowering waste even more and helping the environment. Unlike fake trees that wind up in landfills and take generations to decay, real trees naturally decompose even after being disposed of.
Therefore, purchasing a real Christmas tree is a great option if you want to celebrate the holiday in an eco-friendly manner.
If you want to know more, in this post we point out the pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas trees.
It’s important to know where your tree will go once you bring it in. You can place it anywhere you like – next to your telly, near a window or in a well-lit corner.
Just remember – never put your real Christmas tree near heat sources, such as radiators or a fireplace. The heat will dry out your tree, causing the needles to brown and start falling off. High-traffic areas, such as doorways, should also be avoided. Placing the tree in a place with too much movement means someone will surely knock it over by accident.
Considering how much space you have is an important step to take before buying a real Christmas tree. Sure, they can be trimmed if they don’t fit, but that is just extra work that you wouldn’t really care for.
Make sure to measure your space accordingly. Height, width and depth are to be taken into account. You could consider moving some of your furniture around to make room for your Christmas tree. For more helpful tips, check out this graphic by Ballard Designs on how to measure the space you have and need for your tree.
Many people prefer to buy their Christmas tree in person, and with good reason. This way you have a chance to see the tree in all its glory before deciding if it’s right for you. It’s also a great family tradition to go to the tree farm or local shop and let the kids run around, looking for the perfect tree.
After all the fun, though, you need to bring the tree home. If your car is not large enough to accommodate it, you can tie it to the top of your vehicle or rent a van. Some tree farms may offer a delivery service as well. If you choose to tie the tree up, make sure it’s wrapped in a blanket to protect it from the wind and temperature.
Buying a Christmas tree online has its advantages. It’s no wonder some prefer it. For one, you’d skip standing around for hours in the freezing cold, looking for the perfect tree.
You also get the tree delivered and installed for you, so all you have to do is pick your tree, grab a cup of hot chocolate and wait. However, you miss out on seeing the Christmas tree in person before you buy it.
If you have decided to take the trip instead of waiting around for the delivery guy, here’s how to pick the best Christmas tree.
Real Christmas trees fall into two categories – potted and cut.
There are several different types of real Christmas trees. Which one is right for you is up to your personal preference. So, exactly what kinds of Christmas trees are there?
Now that you know what types of trees are available, here is what to take into account when choosing one:
Christmas trees will vary in price depending on their type and the place you buy them. For the most popular choice of tree in the UK, the Nordmann Fir, the cost will depend on its size.
The smallest Nordmann Fir (5-6 feet) can cost between £75 and £90. For 7 ft trees, prices are typically around £100, and 8 ft trees are sold for over £110. Keep in mind that those prices may vary depending on the growing method, whether a stand is included or not and more. You can buy a stand separately, or simply order one along with your tree.
A 6 ft tree with a stand can sell for around £100 – £120, while a 7 ft tree goes for £130. The price for 8 ft Nordmann Firs with a stand is around £140.
For pot-grown Norway Spruce trees (3-4 feet), you can expect to pay around £80.
Need more information? Head over to our post on how much does a real Christmas tree cost.
This is a common question among those who choose to buy a real evergreen. After all, the thought of buying the tree too early and spending the holidays sweeping needles off the floor is unpleasant.
The best time to buy a real Christmas tree will depend on when you plan on taking it down. A live conifer can last four to six weeks indoors if taken care of properly. You wouldn’t want to buy your tree too early and find it past its prime on Christmas day. But don’t wait too long – the best fresh trees get bought up quickly and you may be left with the ones nobody wanted.
Most people buy their Christmas trees during the first or second week of December. That will give you plenty of time to install it and enjoy its look through the holidays before having to take it down.
There are several things you should keep in mind when deciding on this, however, and if you want a more in-depth look, head over to our blog post on the topic.
Here are a few helpful tips on how to care for your Christmas tree once you take it home. If you want to know more about looking after real Christmas trees, check out our helpful blog post.
Like all good things, the holiday season will come to an end. It’s time to think about what’s next for your Christmas tree. Here are some tips on how you can reuse, recycle or dispose of your tree.
Not everyone has time to browse through countless Christmas trees all day. If this sounds like you, why not get your Evergreen delivered?
Fantastic Services offers a Christmas tree delivery service this holiday season. Remove the hassle of buying a real Christmas tree and get it delivered and installed with just a few clicks. You can even get the stand delivered and your Christmas tree installed upon request.
Don’t know what to do with the tree when the holidays are over? The Fantastic professionals can help you with that as well. We can handle the removal and disposal of your Christmas tree.
Get a spectacular Nordmann Fir or Norway Spruce tree delivered to your doorstep!
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Did we miss anything? Do you have any additional tips on how to buy a real Christmas tree? Share them in the comments or give us a shout on social media!
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