For those who have not yet arrived to trim their Christmas trees - you might want to have a natural tree in your house this year but don't know how best to keep it fresh for as long as possible and how to choose it at all. Believe it or not, a real Christmas tree can last up to 6weeks! They look stunning, their fresh pine smell is incredible and they’re not as difficult to care for as you might have feared.

With the help of our guide, choose the right type for your home and take good care of it and you will have an amazing decoration for all the upcoming holidays.

Get to know the types of trees

Depending on your preference and taste, you will choose between a cut tree and a pot grown. Planted in a pot, they are perfect for the porch, front gardens, and balconies, while the larger ones are cut and look great in living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways.

Trees grown in a pot are easy to move and another benefit is that they can be enjoyed long after the holidays are over and, taken care of, can be part of your yard.

By far the most popular tree in the UK today is the Nordmann tree, a variety with excellent needle retention, proper pyramid-shape, and brilliant green. This tree is also the most durable - for those who like to plant it early and keep it for as long as possible. This variety traditionally a favourite, especially because of the classic fresh scent, but it should be remembered that it tends to throw out needles. Also, this tree is a good choice for you with cooler rooms.

If you do not want to bother cleaning needles that are discarded by wood, Lodgepole pine is best kept by needles and this should be your choice. You will instantly feel the Lodgepole with its strong pine scent, but also by its overgrown appearance, long green needles, and branches pointing upwards.

Prices vary across countries but count on paying £30for about 180cm Norwegian spruce and £45 for a cheap about 180cm fir.

Whichever you choose, the most important thing to look out for when choosing a tree is a deep green with little or no brown needles.

How to choose the right tree for your home

Before going shopping, be sure to measure the height of the room where you want the wood to fit. Also, although the height is paramount, you should consider the width of the tree, which can vary greatly. Because of this, you should never buy a packed tree because you cannot know how much it is when it is in the mesh.

Cut wood should be fresh when you buy it. Here it is also important to note why the mesh in which the tree is placed can be fatal -such trees cannot benefit from the air circulation and begin to form a micro-climate. This means that the wood starts to heat up, discard needles and decompose much faster.

Also, it is not only the space in your house that determines what size tree you can plant but also the space in your car. If it goes in your car, fold down the rear seats before you start to better evaluate the space available. And if it is moving on top of your car, make sure you have everything you need for the trees to secure it to the roof.

When you bring the tree home, remove the mesh (if there is any) for the branch to settle down and separate about 2.5cm from its base to open the pores. Then place it in a bucket of water and keep it out in a shady, sheltered place until you are ready to bring it inside.

When you bring it into the room it is intended for, put your wood in a container that can be filled with water for longer. You will be surprised at the amount of water they will drink.

Before hanging the first decoration, secure a stable stand for the tree. Then add all the strings of light, starting at the bottom. Only then is it time for the decorations. Organize them by size and hang the largest lanterns on larger branches and smaller ones on gentler twigs.

Taking care of a real Christmas tree

As with any natural flower, always make sure the tree trunk is submerged in water. Add some water to it every day because, believe it or not, it has been found that an average Christmas tree can drink up to 1-2 litres of water a day!

As we know that this evergreen tree grows outside in the cold, where it thrives, keep the tree in a cool, dry place, away from radiators and lamps. Always turn off the lights before bed.

Also, think in advance: the holidays will be over and you will need to take care of the trees after them. If your tree is cut down, take it to your nearest household waste recycling centre, or find out if your local committee offers a recycling service. If your tree has been grown ina pot, transplant it into the garden or plant it in a larger pot, making sure to give the root ball plenty of space to expand and grow and preserve it for next Christmas.

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