PT Cambs Winter 2017

Forestry Commission
England’s guide to
choosing the perfect
Christmas tree
Forestry Commission, Crown Copyright
What better way to celebrate the festive
season than with the most glorious
Christmas tree. But other than size, what
are the things to consider when buying
your Christmas centrepiece?
Each tree species can be a little different in
size, scent and needle retention so it’s
difficult to know which Christmas tree to
buy. Delight your family and guests this
Christmas by using Forestry Commission
England’s expert guide to picking the
perfect tree for you.
Norway Spruce
Considered the traditional Christmas tree,
the Norway Spruce is best known for:
• A wonderful shape and an
abundance of branches – great
for hanging lots of decorations!
• A lovely ‘Christmassy’ scent that's
perfect at this time of year
Who does it suit?
With a long lasting scent and a traditional
shape, Norway spruce are perfect for those
who appreciate the classic look and smell
of Christmas.
Tips
To help your spruce retain its needles you
need to place it away from any
radiators/fires and water it every day.
Nordmann fir
The star qualities of a Nordmann fir are:
• Having soft foliage and an even
shape – making it a joy to
decorate!
• Glossy, dark green needles that
have a whitish/light blue
underside
Who does it suit?
With its big needles which are lovely and
soft, Nordmann fir are perfect for those
with young children.
Tips
You will need a big space to show off a
Nordmann fir in its full glory. For a 6ft tall
tree allow approximately 5ft space.
Lodgepole pine
The Lodgepole pine is an ideal Christmas
tree due to its:
• Bushy appearance and luscious
long green needles
• Branches that point upwards
which hold a wonderful pine
scent
Who does it suit?
With the best needle retention of them all,
Lodgepole pines are perfect for those who
like a long festive season and decorate
their tree as early as possible.
Tips
High ceilings are a must for this tree; make
sure you measure the height of your room
where you plan to put the tree before you
go pick one up from the forest!
Caring for your Christmas tree
Preventing needles dropping and the green
from fading on your Christmas tree
requires a little bit of care and attention.
Follow our top tips for a longer lasting,
healthier real Christmas tree!
1. Cut off 2.5cm from the trunk to
aid with water absorption
2. Put the tree in a stand with the
trunk immersed in water
3. Keep your tree in a cool, dry
space. Away from radiators and
fires
4. Water your tree regularly
Why buy real?
Being experts in trees, woodlands and
sustainable forestry, Forestry Commission
England’s real Christmas trees are so
good, even Santa has given his stamp of
approval. But why buy real?
1. Real trees use 10 times fewer
materials and five times less
energy than artificial trees.
2. They are completely
biodegradable.
3. They are grown in the UK
4. A tree is planted for every tree
harvested
5. You’ll have a free baby sapling,
to plant your own tree
It will also come with a certificate of
authenticity to guarantee the trees quality,
which will be signed by Santa himself.
There is so much more on offer when you
buy your tree from the forest. You can
meet Santa and enjoy a whole range of
Christmas activities for both little and big
kids to get into the festive spirit!
To find your nearest forest sales centre, or
check out top tree tips on keeping your
tree fresh and healthy over the festive
holidays visit
www.forestry.gov.uk/christmas
Primary Times Cambridgeshire . Winter 2017
21