You’ve decided to go for a real tree this year. You’re excited about the beautiful natural look, the festive smell and the Christmas tradition of choosing a tree.

But what about the needles dropping all throughout December?

Go for a hardy variety

We’re not saying you need to become a horticulturalist before you go Christmas tree shopping, but a quick search can give you an idea of which tree varieties to look out for. Some types just naturally drop their needles more than others, so if this is a concern, consider some of these tree stats:

Norway Spruce

  • Usually one of the cheaper trees, as it grows quickly
  • Gives off the distinctive Christmas pine smell
  • Sturdy branches and a traditional open shape
  • Needles are one of the fastest to drop

Fraser Fir

  • Similar to Norway Spruce but with better needle retention
  • Narrower in shape, so more suited to smaller rooms or corners
  • Very common in US but can be harder to find in the UK
  • More expensive than the Spruce

Nordmann Fir

  • Britain’s bestselling Christmas tree!
  • Known as a ‘non-drop’ tree (better needle retention means less clean-up!)
  • Softer needles than some varieties mean it’s a bit more child and pet-friendly
  • Dark green, glossy ‘leaves’, dense branches and the traditional bushy shape
  • Also, one of the most expensive varieties of Christmas tree with its upturned needles

Which tree to pick?

So, you’re walking up and down rows of beautiful real trees. The fir scent is making you feel festive, and any one of these trees would be perfect, right?

Wrong. Don’t choose a tree that has already been netted, as you’ll never be able to tell its shape and you might end up with large gaps and a less attractive tree.

Choose recently sawn trees (you’ll know by the pale colour of the cut wood) and be sure to check the branches to make sure the needles are firmly attached. Another one to remember – the springier the better. Brittle trees are drier, and when trees are dehydrated that’s when the needles start to fall.

Find out tips on how to pick the right Christmas tree

Hydrate your tree

So, you’ve chosen a beautiful recently sawn and springy tree, got it back home, and wrestled it out of the car. Undo the net wrapping and we recommend giving the tree a hard shake in the garden, to shake off any loose needles that would have dropped inside.

You can even re-cut the tree trunk by another inch or so, to enable more water absorption, and while scoring the bark can help the tree take in water, never peel back the bark or you’ll actually hinder the process.

How to hydrate your Christmas tree

Plan your tree placement

When placing the tree in its prime spot in your lounge or dining room, it’s better to go for a cooler position, not too close to any radiators. The real tree won’t like too much heat, or draughts either, so watch out for placing it right by the front door.

Fairy lights look beautiful on real trees, but ensure you’ve gone for LED lights, as they don’t get as hot as traditional bulb lights. (They’re more energy-efficient too, so it’s a win-win.) The right conditions for the tree will prevent excessive needles dropping.

plan to place your Christmas Tree in a cooler part of the room to reduce the chance of needles dropping

Treat it like a vase of flowers

You might have bought a tree stand that holds water, or stood the tree in a pot or bucket, but make sure that every few days you remember to top this up. A good rule to go by is that the water should always cover the cut end of the tree trunk. If you keep on top of the watering, your beautifully decorated tree will continue to look green, plump and fresh all the way until the new year.

For any needles that do start to drop, a carpet sweeper is an ideal way to pick them up from the floor without worrying about vacuum cleaner cables knocking over any baubles.

How to water your Christmas tree

Mindful disposal

At the end of the festive season, try to dispose of your Christmas tree in an eco-friendly way, if you can. Add the branches to your compost heap or turn it into fresh-smelling mulch for the garden. Local groups might also start to advertise eco-friendly tree collection and disposal schemes, so keep an eye out.

Dispose of your Christmas tree in an eco friendly way

If you have any top tips, share them in the comments below or Tweet us @EwbankLtd using the hashtag #MeandEwbank. 

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