It's beginning to look a lot like...
- Charlie D
- Nov 30, 2017
- 3 min read
Christmas!
It's that time of year again and the question on our lips is...which tree? The big debate between a fine-needled Fir, plump Spruce or (dare we say it) Artificial?
To make things easier for you, we've broken it down to our top favourites. That's one less thing for you to worry about this festive season...
The Real Deal
There’s nothing that says “Christmas” quite like the smell you get when you walk into a room with a real Christmas tree. It brings back nostalgic memories of staying up late with brothers and sisters adorning the christmas tree. Every year, we'd buy 1 new addition to add to the collection of mismatched quirky items. At the top of the tree our 'Dizzy' Angel sitting precariously.
Whatever your style, there's something for everyone.
The Nordman Fir
Abies nordmanniana
The Nordman Fir is the most commonly available of the Christmas tree firs.
These trees are favoured for the attractive foliage and soft needles that do not drop readily as the tree dries out. Dark green foliage and soft leaves, suited to fewer decorations. A popular choice with the ability to hold its needles well.
Danish producers have introduced a seed stock which is also a popular choice for many British growers. The trees will range in quality to suit a variety of price brackets, although top quality trees will always continue to command a premium price due to the additional effort required to grow them.
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
The Norway Spruce is considered the traditional Christmas tree.
Increasingly these trees are now shaped to meet the demand for a fuller and more uniform tree, however, naturally they have needle-like leaves which are square-shaped and pointed, with fine white speckled lines. Most attractively, is the rich, sweet fragrance they provide.
It is an evergreen tree meaning its features are present year round (if potted). They are tall and straight and of a triangular appearance, with a pointed crown.
Noble Fir
Abies noblilis
The Noble Fir is regarded as the foremost Christmas tree in its perfect form. Commonly known as the ‘King of Trees’, it is considered by growers to be the most difficult tree to produce.
These trees have a more uniform shape than the Nordman Fir. With well defined layers produced as the tree has grown, the Noble Fir is a very distinctive tree. These trees have excellent needle retention and bring a pleasant fragrance into the home for the festive season.
Because of the extra effort and attention involved, the Noble Fir is more expensive than the Nordman – but a perfect Noble Fir will rule your living room!
Before you go ahead and buy online, remember that local is always the best choice. We believe it's important to consider the 'true cost' of buying a christmas tree.
The next section might help to break this down..
Articial Trees
This option is often presented as the eco-alternative to buying a real tree but I struggle to believe this is the true story for an artificial tree.
Let’s not beat around the bush here; they’re ‘clean’, convenient and easy to prop up in a few minutes with a fairly sturdy metal base. When it’s all over, It all packs away neatly. Claims that a plastic tree prevents a real tree from being cut down can't justify this option. It’s been estimated that you’d need to use a PVC tree for at least 20 years to make up for the amount of energy used in their production.
It's not all good news for real trees either.
Due to most trees being harvested like many other monocrops, Christmas trees are typically sprayed with potent fertilisers and herbicides such as Glyphosate. You can find out more about Glyphosate here: https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/glyphosate-debate
Two main things to consider:
Do we really want to encourage the production of yet another piece of plastic tat being produced thousands of miles away and shipped around the planet for our seasonal gratification?
And is the ‘Real Deal’ in fact not such a good deal when it’s imported from miles away and has left a sooty footprint in its tracks?
We Recommend
Buy Locally
Buy Responsibly
Please consider Windmill City Farm (St Werburghs Bristol) for your tree this year as all proceeds go to the Charity.
Or scrap the whole thing and opt to donate a tree to The Woodland Trust
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