Selecting the Firfect Christmas Tree
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, and what’s more exciting than choosing the tree? There’s nothing quite like the scent of a real Christmas tree filling your home, evoking heart-warming memories of Christmas’ past.
There are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect Christmas tree for your home this year - size, scent, and sustainability to name but a few. We’ve put together some useful tips to help you make sure you pick fine-lookin’ fir that lasts throughout the holiday.
There are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect Christmas tree for your home this year - size, scent, and sustainability to name but a few. We’ve put together some useful tips to help you make sure you pick fine-lookin’ fir that lasts throughout the holiday.
Nobody puts (fir) baby in the corner
To ensure your tree gets the attention it deserves and takes centre stage throughout the festive season, it’s important to think about the space it’s going in before you go tree shopping! Measure the height, width, and depth of the space - you don’t want to have to cut branches off once you get it home. Don’t forget to consider the dimensions of the tree stand and bring all of these with you when you go to select your tree!
Real or Faux Fir?
Did you know that as well as being biodegradable, real trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen? Artificial trees don’t have this capability. Furthermore, a real Christmas tree has a significantly lower carbon footprint than an artificial tree, according to The Carbon Trust. Stick with faux fur, not faux fir.There are three main types of Christmas tree in the UK, each with its own characteristics:
- The Norway Spruce - a little bit spiky, dark green with an abundance of branches, it tends to have a lovely conical shape and is ideal for hanging plenty of decorations.
- The Nordmann Fir - the most popular Christmas tree in Europe! A wise choice if you suffer from allergies, this variety has soft foliage and an even shape - making decorating a delight. The Nordmann Fir has strong branches, dark green needles with a lighter blue underside and scores well in terms of needle retention.
- The Lodgepole Pine - a more traditional tree, with yellow/green needles and bushy branches that point upwards, this variety tends to last longer as it holds onto its needles the longest.
The Fresher the Better
Make sure you choose a tree that hasn’t been wrapped in netting yet as the net stops air circulation and will cause the tree to decompose more rapidly. This way, you can also actually see the true shape of the tree before you take it home.You should also carry out ‘the fresh test’ by gently brushing the tree with your fingers or tapping it lightly on the ground. If the tree quickly sheds lots of needles, it may not have been freshly cut and you might want to look for another to ensure you get a tree that will last. The healthiest, freshest trees should be a glossy, shiny green, and the better quality trees tend to be heavier!
If you can, you should visit a local grower, or a Pick Your Own Christmas Tree farm for a truly magical experience, supporting local business and quality grown trees. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association lists where you can find your local Christmas tree grower: https://www.bctga.co.uk/.
Happy shopping!
Trees get thirsty too
Like ourselves, trees are thirsty little things and need to be watered every day to keep them at their very best. Ideally, your Christmas tree should be kept immersed in water, and checked every day to ensure it has enough! Christmas trees have been known to drink 1-2 litres of water a day!
It’s best to keep your Christmas tree away from direct heat sources such as radiators or the fire, to avoid it drying out. Christmas lights emit a surprising amount of heat so don’t forget to switch these off when you leave the house or are going to bed!
Catch a fallen needle
Even with considerate aftercare, it’s quite likely that your tree will eventually begin to shed some of its needles. To avoid fallen needles being dragged around from room to room on the bottom of your slippers, it’s best to regularly vacuum under and around the tree (trying not to touch the branches!). Tried and (tree) tested, here are the ones we’d recommend.
- With its 40-minute run time and without the hassle of wires, we recommend using Samsung VS15T7031R4 Jet™ Stick Vacuum Cleaner.
- If you have a large area to clean but still want a compact appliance we recommend using Sebo 91533GB Automatic X7 Pro ePower Upright Vacuum Cleaner, with bagged cleaning for mess-free emptying.
- To clean the whole house in one go, we recommend using the powerful Sebo 92662GB Airbelt K1 Pro ePower Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner.
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