Ideal Home's complete guide to Christmas trees

How to pick the perfect tree and keep it looking fresh throughout the festive season.

Before you start Measure your room and work out the size you need. You don't want a tiny tree that will be lost in a room with high ceilings or worse still having to chop a bit off if its too big.

When to buy Buy your tree around the 10th December as there will still be a good selection out there to choose from and it wont droop towards the end of the holidays from buying too soon.

Where to buy The best way to ensure fresh good quality is to buy direct from a grower or reputable nursery. Visit the British Christmas Tree Grower's Association at www.christmastree.org.uk for a list of farms near you.

Choosing your tree Think about which colour you prefer and how long you will need it to last. The Norway Spruce often looks best, but drops more needles than the Nordman Fir. Avoid Scots Pine if you have small children, as its needles are often sharp. Check out our species list below for the qualities of each variety.

How to spot a healthy tree The needles should not be dull and dried up. The branches should not be brittle and the outer needles should not fall off if the tree is gently shaken. Run your fingers down its lower branches – these should be flexible and needles should stay on the branch.

Once your tree is home Keep your tree outside in a cool shaded area and standing in water until it is required indoors. Just before bringing it in pot it in earth if it is rooted or cut approx. 3 cm off the bottom to open up pores that may be blocked from sap making it easier to draw in water.

The Right Base Cut trees should be in water, held securely on a stand with screws to hold it in place. Rooted trees need a stable-based pot with drainage.

Last tips to remember:

Position the tree away from heat sources such as radiators.

Make sure the trunk is submerged in water to stop sap blocking the pores.

Water regularly as a tree can take up to three pints per day!

Always turn off tree lights at night to stop it drying out and to avoid the risk of fire.

After Christmas
Tradition has it that after the 12 days of Christmas its time to take your tree down. If you have a shredder the chippings are great for compost heaps and flower beds. Otherwise, most local councils offer a recycling service for dead trees, contact yours for local collection dates or log onto www.letsrcycle.com

The UK's favourite tree varieties

Blue Spruce: Popular thanks to its symmetrical shape and blue tint.
Good for planting outside in January.

Noble Fir: Deep green in colour with good branch spacing and needles that are not too sharp making decorating easy.

Nordman Fir: Regular spaced needles pointing upwards, one of the best for keeping its needles.

Scots/ Scotch pine: Good Needle retention and resists drying out. Its needles are very sharp.

Norway Spruce: Beautiful shape and can be cheaper than others, however it often loses needles easily.

Christmas room inspiration

Best Christmas gifts

More Decorating

Like this? You'll Love:

• Decorating colour trends : Duck-egg blue

• Decorating colour trends : Slate and coral

• Ideal Home needs you!

• Decorating colour trends : Heather and chalk

• Get creative with Ideal Home's labels

• Trend for 2009 : Natural beauty