Nothing can beat the scent of a real Christmas tree in your home for the festive season.
Here are some of the options available to you:
- Norway spruce – is the more traditional Christmas tree and it provides a distinctive festive scent to any home.
- The Noble and Fraser Firs – there are the ultimate Christmas trees. Their luxury, proportioned look and feel make them second to none. The needle drop is also very little.
- Nordman Fir – this tree has lush green foliage and strong branches well suited to heavier decorations. They are fairly broad, so you need plenty of space to show them off to maximum effect. The needle drop is also minimal.
- Living pot-grown – these trees have a full root system, so after Christmas it has a chance of survival when planted in the garden. Even if you care for your tree there is no guarantee that it will survive after Christmas in the garden.
- Cut trees – make sure you remove the netting when you arrive home and allow the tree to regain its natural shape. You could cut around one or two inches off the bottom of the trunk and then stand the tree in a bucket of water until ready to bring in the house. The later it gets brought into the house the better the needle retention for all types of trees.
When placing your tree in your home, make sure it is positioned away from direct heat and radiators and keep it upright in a stand that will hold water. Make sure you keep the water topped as regularly as you can.
There is such a joy about having a real tree compared to an artificial tree. Not only do real trees make it feel extra festive, but they are carbon neutral, recyclable and non-toxic.
After Christmas local councils will collect trees for recycling and the shredded trees can be used as mulch or for soil improvement.
Dr Birgitta Gatersleben, an environmental psychologist from the University of Surrey says the attraction of fresh evergreen foliage in the winter is it seems alive when other plants may appear dead. As other research has concluded having fresh foliage inside helps boost your mood and promotes positive wellbeing too.
You can pick up a tree of your choice by heading to your local garden centre, that you can find here https://gca.org.uk/find-a-garden-centre/. Before visiting, please check local COVID restrictions and also check with your garden centre regarding opening details.