How to Choose a Fresh Real Christmas Tree
A fresh real Christmas tree should stay greener, smell better and hold its needles for longer. Fortunately, you do not need to be a tree expert to recognise a healthy one.
Use these straightforward checks while choosing your tree, then protect that freshness with good care once you get home.
Look at the overall colour
Stand back and look at the entire tree. Its foliage should have the healthy colour expected for its variety, without extensive brown, grey or brittle areas.
Remember that varieties differ. Nordmann Fir is deep green, Fraser Fir can have silvery undersides, and Blue Spruce naturally has blue-green foliage. Colour alone should always be considered alongside feel and needle condition.
Test the needles gently
Take an outer branch between your fingers and gently draw your hand towards yourself. The needles should feel flexible and most should remain firmly attached.
A small amount of natural shedding from inside the tree is normal. Large numbers of green outer needles falling away with light handling suggest that the tree may be drying out.
Check that branches are flexible
Fresh branches should bend slightly rather than feeling brittle. Look for healthy tips and an even distribution of foliage.
Do not expect every tree to be perfectly uniform. Real trees have individual character, and a small gap or interesting shape may look wonderful once decorated.
Notice the scent
Gently crush a fallen needle and check for a fresh fragrance. The strength will depend on the variety: Norway Spruce and Balsam Fir are particularly fragrant, while Nordmann Fir has a subtler scent.
A lighter scent does not necessarily mean a less-fresh tree, so use this check together with the needle and branch tests.
Look at the base of the trunk
The trunk should appear sound and suitable for your stand. Check its approximate diameter and make sure it will fit securely without shaving away the bark.
If the tree was cut some time before reaching home, remove 1–2.5cm from the base with a straight cut and place it into water promptly. At Rainfords, our choose-and-cut trees are freshly cut after you select them.
Choose the right variety for your plans
Freshness matters, but so does choosing a variety that suits when and where you will display it.
- Nordmann Fir: excellent needle retention and soft foliage
- Norway Spruce: wonderful traditional scent but needs especially careful watering
- Fraser Fir: good retention, strong branches and a relatively compact profile
- Blue Spruce: striking colour with sharper needles
- Balsam Fir: rich fragrance and classic appearance
- Lodgepole Pine: long needles and an open, natural form
Read our complete guide to Christmas tree types for a fuller comparison.
Consider where the tree was grown
A locally grown tree bought directly from the grower gives you a clearer understanding of its journey. It also avoids choosing a tree that has spent an unknown amount of time in storage or transport.
At Rainfords Farm, visitors can walk amongst thousands of trees, choose the exact one they want and watch our team cut it fresh.
Keep it fresh on the journey home
Have the tree netted for safe transport and secure it properly in or on your vehicle. Once home, put the trunk in water as soon as possible and keep it somewhere cool until you are ready to bring it inside.
Indoors, use a water-holding stand, check it daily and position the tree away from radiators, fires and strong sunlight.
Choose your own tree at Rainfords Farm
Finding a tree should be part of the Christmas experience. Take your time, compare the varieties and look at the tree from every side before making your choice. Our team can help with size, shape and variety.
Discover Christmas trees at Rainfords Farm and use our real Christmas tree care advice once you get home.