A Practical Guide to Choosing and Caring for a Real Christmas Tree

A Practical Guide to Choosing and Caring for a Real Christmas Tree

There’s something timeless about bringing a real Christmas tree into the home. The scent, the feel, the natural shape – no artificial tree can quite match it. But if you want your tree to look its best all the way through the festive season, it helps to know how to choose a good one and how to look after it properly. At Stubbs Copse, we’ve spent years working with real Christmas trees, and this guide brings together the knowledge you need for a healthy, long-lasting tree.


How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

Selecting a real Christmas tree starts with understanding the main varieties you’ll come across. Each type has slightly different strengths, whether that’s scent, shape, or needle retention.

Popular Christmas Tree Varieties

Nordmann Fir
 The most popular Christmas tree in the UK. Known for excellent needle retention and soft, glossy needles. A great low-maintenance choice.

Norway Spruce
 The traditional tree with a classic festive scent. Best for cooler rooms or for those who put their tree up later in December due to quicker needle drop indoors.

Fraser Fir
 A slimmer tree with a fresh, citrus-like fragrance. Ideal for smaller spaces without compromising on a full appearance.


What to Look For When Selecting a Fresh Tree

Check the Needles

Bend a needle between your fingers. Fresh needles should feel flexible, not brittle. Give the tree a gentle shake. A few loose needles are normal, but heavy shedding is a sign of dryness.

Look at the Colour

A healthy tree has a strong, deep green colour. Avoid trees that appear dull or greyish.

Inspect the Shape

Every tree has its own character. Look at it from different angles, turn it around, and choose a shape that suits your room. Gaps in branches aren’t faults – many people prefer a more natural, rustic look.

Check the Trunk

A straight trunk and an even base will make set-up far easier once you’re home.


Choosing the Right Size

It’s very easy to underestimate the height of a Christmas tree when you’re outdoors. A 6 ft tree often becomes 7 ft or more once it’s inside and sitting in a stand.

To avoid last-minute trimming:

  • Measure your ceiling height
  • Allow room for the stand
  • Leave space for your tree topper

When in doubt, slightly smaller tends to be safer.


How to Prepare Your Christmas Tree at Home

Make a Fresh Cut

Before placing your tree in its stand, saw roughly 2 cm off the bottom of the trunk. This opens the pores and allows the tree to absorb water properly.

Get the Tree into Water Quickly

A real tree can drink a surprising amount – sometimes more than a litre on the first day. Use a stand with a good water reservoir and fill it immediately.

Avoid Direct Heat

Radiators, log burners and sunny windows will speed up needle drop. Place the tree in the coolest practical spot in the room.


Daily Care Tips to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh

Keep the Water Topped Up

Never let the water level fall below the cut end of the trunk. Once it dries out, the tree reseals and stops drinking entirely.

Don’t Add Anything to the Water

No sugar, no fizzy drinks, no additives. Clean water is all a real Christmas tree needs.

Lift, Don’t Drag

If you need to move the tree, lift it rather than dragging it across the floor. Dragging can stress the branches and loosen needles.


Common Mistakes When Caring for a Christmas Tree

  • Putting the tree too close to heat sources
  • Forgetting to measure ceiling heights
  • Letting the stand run dry
  • Setting up the tree without a fresh cut
  • Choosing the wrong variety for your room’s temperature

Avoid these and your tree will stay fresher for much longer.


Sustainable Ways to Enjoy and Dispose of a Real Tree

Real Christmas trees are a renewable crop when grown sustainably. After Christmas, the most eco-friendly options include:

  • Local council recycling schemes
  • Chipping the tree for garden mulch
  • Using a replantable pot-grown tree for future years

Whatever option you choose, recycling is always the best outcome.


Final Thoughts

A real Christmas tree adds warmth, tradition, and a natural beauty to the home, and with the right approach, it can stay looking its best right through the festive season. By selecting a healthy tree, preparing it correctly, and following a simple daily care routine, you’ll enjoy a fresher, fuller, longer-lasting centrepiece for Christmas.

If you’d like any help choosing the best type of tree for your home next year, our team at Stubbs Copse is always here to share friendly advice grounded in experience.

 

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