Choosing a good Christmas tree might seem simple, but there’s actually a lot to think about.
The kind of Christmas tree you choose might depend on:
- Whether you’re renting or own your own home
- The size of the room you want to put your tree in
- How eco-friendly you want to be when choosing a tree
Here, we’ll look at real and artificial Christmas trees and reveal some hints and tips when it comes to choosing the ideal one for you.
Real or fake Christmas trees: Which is better?
Whether you opt for a real tree or an artificial one will depend on your eco-conscience, but also the kind of statement you want to make with your tree.
Pros of a real tree
- The scent of pine adds to that Christmas feel
- Can be recycled
Cons of a real tree
- The mess from shedding needles
- They can be a fire hazard
Pros of a fake tree
- They can last for years
- They look realistic
Cons of a fake tree
- They’re harder to recycle
- They can be expensive
When it comes to the environment, it’s estimated that a standard 6.5ft artificial tree has a carbon footprint 10 times as large as a real tree that is recycled.
However, artificial trees can last years, whereas real trees need to be bought every year, so the longer you can use your artificial tree, the closer it will get to the carbon footprint of a real tree.
If you’re looking to buy an artificial tree, be prepared to spend more so the tree you buy will last for many, many years.
And if you want to buy a real one, look out for sustainable, home-grown and locally sourced options that carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
How long does a real Christmas tree last?
Real trees can last between four and six weeks, sometimes longer depending on the quality of what you buy.
Look for the following when choosing a real Christmas tree that you want to last:
- Pick a tree that hasn’t been grown in too much direct sunlight
- Look for one that has pure green needles rather than brown ones
- Very few needles should fall off when the tree is lifted, and the trunk dropped to the ground
Christmas trees need lots of water, too, so don’t forget to give yours a good drink every day to keep it looking great.
How to choose a good artificial Christmas tree
If you’re looking to buy an artificial Christmas tree, longevity is key.
Buying a good quality fake tree should mean you don’t have to buy another one for several years, which also means fewer artificial trees going into landfill.
You’ll also want your artificial tree to look as realistic as possible, so aim for the following:
- A tree with branches made from PE rather than PvC. While PvC trees won’t fade in colour, their branches can look more ‘fake’. PE trees look more authentic
- Look for a tree with a high number of ‘attached tips’ in its product description. The higher the number, the ‘fuller’ your tree will look
- A good quality, strong stand. The last thing you want is for your tree to fall over!
London Christmas tree rental
It’s estimated around seven million Christmas trees are sold in the UK every year and many of these end up in landfill once the festivities are over.
To avoid that pressure on the environment, it’s now possible to rent a Christmas tree in London.
Rentable Christmas trees are pot grown in the UK and delivered to your door by companies such as London Christmas Tree Rental.
You simply look after the tree until after Christmas and then it’s collected and returned to the farm to be cared for until next Christmas – when someone else will rent it.
Christmas tree delivery in London
Rather than going to a farm to pick your own tree, you can have one delivered to your door in London.
Many Christmas tree delivery companies, like Christmas Forest, have sustainability pledges and as trees are delivered in bulk across dozens of homes, they come with a lower carbon footprint than all those people driving to buy trees themselves.
Christmas trees for small spaces
If you’re renting a flat or apartment in London, or you own a smaller property, getting the right Christmas tree for your space can be tricky.
Here’s what you’ll need to consider when buying a Christmas tree for a small space.
Size matters
If you’re buying a tree for a small space, size is everything. Try to find a tree that is tall and narrow rather than short and wide.
Your tree should be around six inches shorter than the height of your ceiling (don’t forget to factor in your topper) and a tall tree can actually make your room feel bigger as it will draw the eye upwards.
Place your tree in the corner
Corner spaces are usually the most under-used in living rooms, so try to place your Christmas tree in a corner if you can.
Putting your tree by a window can help create the illusion of space, too, while the reflection of your lights in the glass can look stunning.
Buy a half tree
Artificial half trees are becoming increasingly popular for smaller spaces.
A half tree is ‘sliced’ longways so can be stood against a flat wall – saving huge amounts of space.
Further reading…
If you’re renting a property, whether or not you can decorate for Christmas will probably come down to your landlord’s discretion.
There are ways you can make your rental property feel like home without hammering nails and screws into the walls, however.
Take a look at our guide to find out how.
