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