It appears 2020 is the year many people are switching to a real tree – the British Christmas Tree Growers Association have said there has been a 24% sales rise year-on-year.

But an argument has waged for a few years now over whether a reusable artifical tree is actually a greener option than a real tree being cut down.

Artificial Trees have seen a growth in popularity over the last couple decades, with many thinking they are the ‘green’ choice, saving a real tree from the axe and being re-used year after year.
But environmentalists actually disagree; mostly due to one ingredient – they are made of plastic. A 6.5ft artificial tree has a carbon footprint equivalent to about 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions – over twice that of a real tree that ends its life in landfill, and ten times that of a real tree which is burnt.

Recycle a fresh tree for compost or mulch, and it has negligible or even negative emissions. The Weldmar Hospicecare charity and their popular Tree-cycle scheme are reviving for 2021. Click the link to book your own collection – they’ll be in this area on the 8th of January, and suggested donation is £10.

Trinity Street Christmas Trees owner Pete Hyde said “This year we have partnered with Weldmar Hospicecare – in return for a donation to this valuable charity, we will collect and dispose of your tree with environmental responsibility”.

Buying a real, local Christmas tree is good for the economy and the environment and also makes for great memories.

When buying a real tree, Friends of the Earth advise to look for one that is locally produced – and we’re incredibly lucky to have some great growers right on our doorstep.

“Locally grown real trees are the best option if you can get one,” says Mike Childs, head of research at Friends of the Earth.

“At any one time in the UK there are about 100m trees growing with all the benefits that trees give to the environment. These trees would not be growing if it weren’t for the Christmas tree market,” “People worry about the environmental impact of having a cut tree but in fact, the growing process is positive” confirms Pete Hardy “one acre of our plantation provides the daily oxygen needs for 18 people, whilst a single farmed tree absorbs more than 1 ton of CO2 throughout its lifetime.”

It’s the start of Christmas.

Buying a real tree creates a memorable family moment, and often heralds the start of the Christmas period. For us it’s a

family affair, and we all head to one of the local grower’s field days to select our trees and see them cut down. It’s definitely the start of Christmas in our house!

Surely growing Christmas trees is easy money for land- owners?

Pete Hyde laughs – ‘you’d think, wouldn’t you?
But it’s taken me the last seven years to work out just how much care and attention they need throughout the year to get the right Christmas Tree shape in December. The amount involved in growing and caring for Christmas trees is immense! The planting, cutting, pruning, constant shaping, sensitive feeding… Plus it takes up to 10 years to grow a six-foot tree – that’s a lot of nurturing!’

What type of tree?

Eight out of 10 trees sold in the UK are Nordman fir – the classic tree we all know, with the pine needles we tend to loathe! The remainder are nearly all Norway spruce – the non-dropping softer- needled variety, but all the growers we spoke to supply a variety of trees including Nordman Fir, Noble Fir, Frazier Fir plus the traditional spruces.

“The Christmas Tree selection process is often a happy occasion, but sometimes it can
be contentious, with so much choice these days!” acknowledges Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group. “Gone are the days when it was just the size of the Norway Spruce that was the issue. We now stock, from specialist growers in the UK, seven or eight different varieties and in lots of sizes and forms including cut, potted and pot grown trees. Think carefully about the space you’re placing your tree in (width and height!) and whether you value needle retention over things like scent. The Nordman, Noble and Fraser Firs are the ultimate in Christmas Trees. Their luxurious and well- proportioned appearance and feel make them second to none. They also have little needle drop and the Fraser Fir has a wonderful scent.”

We asked Richard Deffee, Head Forester of the Cranborne Estate for his expert top tips on choosing a great tree this year:

• Measure your space before buying – they look much larger when you get them in the house than out in the field!

• The Nordmann fir are more expensive than the traditional Norway spruce, but they will hold their needles much better.

• Buy from the grower if you can as you will usually get a better

deal and a fresher tree. Some growers allow access to the ‘growing trees’ in the field – this way you are guaranteed a fresh tree and lots of choice.

• If you can’t buy from a grower then do buy British, and local if you can – many trees are imported and may have been cut many weeks prior to purchase.

If you already have an artificial tree, do keep it and keep using it – but if it becomes a little bedraggled and artificial is still your thing – maybe you could opt for a second hand one in order to keep the carbon footprint down.

So how do we ‘Stop the Drop’?

The biggest fear of a real tree is that dreaded needle drop. But if you follow the right steps, it needn’t be an issue.

That way your tree will be freshly cut: It’s no surprise that one which was cut three weeks ago and travelled from another country is feeling a little weary by the time it gets into your house. If you can, use one of the local growers open field days. Failing that, buy from someone who uses a local grower so that you know your tree is as fresh as possible.

2 – Don’t decorate too soon.

There are limits on how long a tree will stay fresh. Keep it in your garden in a bucket of water, and only bring it into the house when you’re ready to decorate, as late as possible. If your tree has been up for four weeks by Christmas Day, it’s going to be past its best.

3 – Trim the bottom

Before putting it up, cut a 2cm slice off the bottom of the trunk: the same way you trim a bunch of flowers before putting them in a vase.

4 – Water it!

At the end of the day, it’s a giant house plant! Always keep them in a stand which holds water, and top up the water levels daily. We have big trees, and I water them every night before bed. I know each will drink at least a litre of water a day.

5 – Avoid the heat.

If you have a choice, try not to place your tree right next to a radiator or fire.