Homeschool Garden Club - How to Choose a Real Christmas Tree

Now, here at Orchard Training, we have a ban on the C word - you can not mention it before the 6th December. So, we should be ok this week to talk about these trees.

As a teacher for a very long time, I have to say I have come across lots of different family tradition around when the tree goes up. Some like to put it up early, some let children put it up and in other families the mum does the decoration late at night and its a surprise the following morning. For others, there is the whole event of going to get the tree and picking it, the adventure of getting back in or on the car and hoping it fits inside the room and "do you remember the year the tree was too big and dad . . . "

So, how do you choose a real Christmas tree? Luckily for us two of our learners have earnt their Christmas money working at a garden centre - selling guess what?

What Size of Tree Do You Need?

I know I shouldn't have to say this but you need to measure the space the tree will be going into. It is well known that Christmas trees always look much smaller at the point of purchase, especially if sold outside. However, some how they get much bigger once you actually get them back home. So you need to measure the space at home, write the measurement and then take both the notes and a measuring tape with you on the day.

What About the Needles?

The next think to think about is needle drop. This is when the tree drops needles (their leaves) all over the area they have been standing. The first thing to know is - no tree is completely needle drop free. Some trees have been grown to reduce this problem so check when buying. If you are buying from a garden centre and they say reduced needle drop they have a good chance they are a good buy. What you don't want to is to spend part of the Christmas holidays sweeping the needles up, and finding by Boxing Day you have a nearly naked tree, and this might be true of a tree bought from a car park stall.

The next thing is to get a fresh tree, one that has very recently been cut. The best way to check this, according to Billy, is to give the tree a nice top on the ground: if a load of needles fall off - this is not the tree for you!

Pot or Cut Tree?

Not everyone will want to plant out the tree in their garden after Christmas - they many simply not have the room. Others might not want to through their Christmas tree in to the compost bin at their local recycle centre.

This is a family choice and one that might need some careful thought.

Joe found out that most Christmas trees it the UK are sold as cut. However, potted Christmas trees are becoming a growing market. The good news is that a pot-grown tree has every chance of being planted out and surviving.

You can even now rent a potted Christmas tree if you want to.

What Variety of Real Christmas Tree Do You Want?

There are a range of different varieties of real Christmas Trees but they all have their own positives. So once you have measured and know your size, you know if you want cut or potted now its just the variety.

Nordman Fir

According to Joe and Billy, this is the best selling tree sold in the Uk, it has a deep green, rich and shiny foliage and big soft needles. It has a lovely full shape and will hold on to its needles for a long time. They are also British grown so the travel-miles are reduced.

Fraser Fir

This looks similar to the Nordman, but has shorter needles and more silver in colour. They tend to be slimmer and they to keep the majority of their needles. One of the best things about these trees is the smell.

Norway Spruce

This variety has traditional been the choice of tree for a long time. The needles are short and fairly sharp and painful when dry if you are trying to pick them up. despite the travel miles it is still remains a good value tree.

I really like Anders' real Christmas tree tradition most. Ander's family have a fir tree in their garden. On St Nicholas' Day (6th December), they put lights on the tree. Over the course of the advent period, their advent calendar give out craft materials and the family members make home made decorations. The year that Anders was in my Class, his mum came in to the school and taught us all how to make a bird cake biscuits that they hang in the tree for wildlife. On Christmas Eve, they decorate the tree outside and sing special tree decorating folk songs. They have a hot fruit tea and special iced biscuits too!

Why not share your family traditions with us!