How to pick the perfect real Christmas tree for the best price in the UK | Christmas
For many Britons, planting trees is a ritual that marks the official start of Christmas, and the second week of December is a popular time to decorate the halls.
Millions of real trees will be sold this month, with surveys suggesting that around two-thirds of the population would prefer artificial trees. As always, competition on the high street is fierce; some supermarkets sell the most popular tree – Nordmann fir – for under £15.
B&Q says demand for larger real Christmas trees is increasing, with “more customers looking for showy ornaments in their homes”, while “mini trees” are becoming more popular for decorating multiple rooms, tables and gift-giving.
What you end up paying will depend on where you live and local competition.
“The price of trees always varies regionally and between individual retailers,” says Russell Parkins, chairman of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), which runs a tree farm in Hertfordshire.
“The average 1.8m British Christmas tree takes around 10 years to grow, so the price of a tree today reflects ten years of production costs,” he adds. “As with all industries, operating costs have increased significantly in recent years, but ultimately prices depend on individual producers and how they manage their margins.”
Nordmann fir is the most common choice for real tree fans these days; this is mainly because its soft, dark needles fall more slowly than those of the Norway spruce, a traditional Victorian tree.
At Parkins’ Dane End Christmas Tree Farm, for example, prices start from £39 for a 4ft Nordmann and £26 for the same size Norway spruce.
Opting for a British-grown Christmas tree is a way to support local farmers and reduce your ‘tree kilometres’; so you get a fresher product with a lower carbon footprint. BCTGA is a online guide To find the breeder closest to you.
“A real tree adds a wonderful, traditional atmosphere to the festive period, complete with the scent of fresh pine,” says Mark Sage, B&Q’s chief outdoor buyer. But since most trees are cut down at about the same time, he recommends hitting the stores “sooner rather than later.”
He says: “For minimal mess, choose Nordmann fir, which has excellent needle retention. For those looking for a fragrant option, choose Fraser fir, which has a wonderful citrus-cedar scent.”
B&Q sells real trees in selected stores and online, but orders under £75 will be charged a £6 delivery fee. The Nordmann fir range starts at £20 (4ft) and goes up to £60 (7.5ft). If you want to spend more (and have high ceilings), you can order 10ft Fraser fir for £250.
Sage’s top tip for those planning to choose their own tree is the “bend test.” “The needles should be bright green, flexible, and remain firmly attached to the branch when lightly touched,” he says. Experts also say that a heavier wood usually means it is well hydrated and freshly cut.
Christmas trees are sold as cut trees or in pots.
“99% of our cut Christmas trees are Nordmann fir because they have outstanding performance and longevity,” says Andy Little, Christmas tree buyer for British Garden Centres, where prices start at £30 for a small tree in its 73 stores.
“We offer Fraser firs in selected garden centres, usually only in taller sizes, as that is when they look their best and they are usually around £5 cheaper than Nordmann firs of the same size.”
If you have a garden, consider purchasing a container-grown plant that can then be planted outside.
“For our pot-grown Nordmann fir tree range, it costs around £15 more than sawn wood of the same quality and height,” says Little. “At our garden centers you can buy a 5ft premium cut tree for £44.99, while a 5ft premium pot grown tree can be purchased for £59.99.”
If you’re on a tight budget, major supermarkets run discounted price promotions.
Tesco is selling Christmas trees comparable to garden ones at ‘half price’ Prices between £50-60. They start from £15 for a small pot-grown Nordmann and £20 for a cut version (5-6ft). Asda also has trees worth £15.
As usual, Aldi and Lidl have gone one step further, charging £14 for a medium Nordmann (5-6ft) and £20 for a large (6-7ft).
It’s also worth checking if your local Ikea has a tree sale. You can win a £20 voucher when you buy a £29 Christmas tree, but this deal is only valid on a certain date. a handful of exits: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Gateshead, Leeds and Bristol. Customers get £20 off a minimum spend of £40 on their next store visit (valid from 5 January to 13 February).
Before you set out, Little recommends taking some time to measure the area where the tree will stand. They look smaller outdoors in the factory area of the store and you need to let them put a stand and an angel or star on top. “You don’t want to cut branches at home and lose that beautiful natural shape.”
With proper care, a real Christmas tree should look healthy even on New Year’s Eve. The advice is to cut the base before placing it in water (this removes the sap “plug”), allowing the tree to absorb water efficiently.
“To ensure a tree lasts the whole festive season, it’s crucial to provide enough water – but not too much,” warns Sage, who says the handy kit includes the £44 Krinner stand with built-in water well.
