‘Easiest’ method to find a ‘cheaper’ real Christmas tree

Christmas tree: Expert shares advice on caring for trees

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Christmas trees are the best way to decorate your home during the festive period. They add bright colours, lights and a touch of sparkle. However, real Christmas trees are not cheap with pot-grown trees costing anywhere from £30 upwards of £100 or more depending on the size.

With this in mind, expert horticulturist and owner of Chesterfield-based garden specialists Two Wests & Elliott Lucie Bradley shared five tips on to pick up a beautiful tree on a budget.

Purchase a smaller tree and create a DIY stand for height

Smaller trees are cheaper than larger ones so it will save homeowners money to buy a smaller tree and make their own stand.

Lucie said: “It’s a simple fact that smaller trees are almost always cheaper than larger ones.

“However, a great tip for maximising the height of your smaller tree is to create a DIY stand for added height or place your tree on a table.

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“This way your tree can still be visible throughout your whole room despite being more modest in height.”

Locally sourced trees are fresher and will last longer

Lucie added: “It’s important to look out for where the tree was grown – the further away the tree was sourced, the less fresh it will be.”

A good supplier should be able to tell you where their trees originate from and how long ago they were cut.

When buying a tree, you should always check the supplier is operating in a way that is environmentally sustainable and is not removing trees from Primary Forests.

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Shop around

With a huge variety of different species of tree on offer and different prices, there should be a tree for any budget.

The earlier trees are bought, the better, as they are often cheaper. Sometimes, the price of trees can be hiked during popular buying weekends.

Look out for the greenest possible tree

Once you’ve found a green tree, check the needles to ensure they are flexible and secure.

Lucie explained: “A fresh, well cared for Christmas tree will have a healthy green appearance with few browning needles visible.

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“The easiest way to check the health of an unwrapped tree is to gently run your hand along the branches of the tree.

“If the needles are flexible and don’t break or fall off this is a sure sign you’re onto a winner.”

The stump is crucial

“Always be sure to check under the branches and make sure the stump of the tree is in good working order.

“The stump shouldn’t be crooked and should have strong and healthy branches protruding off it.

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“It’s an absolute nightmare getting home and realising the stump doesn’t fit in its stand so it’s worth taking extra care to get it right.”

A real Christmas tree isn’t always the best option, especially for those with pets and small children. 

A fake Christmas tree may not look as authentic or be as environmentally friendly but they can be used year after year which can make them more cost-effective in the long run.

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