Christmas Tree Buying Guide
How to Choose a Real Christmas Tree
Choosing the right real Christmas tree comes down to four main things: the type of tree, the size of your space, needle retention and the look and scent you prefer.
Nordmann Fir is a great all-round choice if you want soft foliage and excellent needle retention. Norway Spruce offers the traditional Christmas tree shape and distinctive festive scent, while Blue Spruce stands out for its blue-green foliage and characterful appearance.
You should also measure your room before ordering and consider how long you plan to keep your tree indoors. This guide will take you through each decision so you can choose the right Christmas tree for your home.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Christmas Tree?
Which Christmas Tree Type Should You Choose?
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Nordmann Fir
Shop Nordmann FirBest for: needle retention and softer foliage
Nordmann Fir is a popular choice for family homes thanks to its soft, glossy foliage and excellent needle retention. Its strong branches are well suited to decorations, while the softer needles make handling and decorating the tree more comfortable.
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Norway Spruce
Shop Norway SpruceBest for: traditional appearance and festive scent
Norway Spruce is the classic Christmas tree. Its rich green foliage, traditional shape and distinctive fragrance make it an excellent choice if you want the familiar look and scent associated with Christmas.
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Blue Spruce
Best for: distinctive colour and character
Blue Spruce is recognised by its striking blue-green foliage and characterful appearance. Its colour provides an attractive alternative to traditional green varieties and works particularly well if you want your tree itself to make a statement.
What Size Christmas Tree Do You Need?
Start by measuring the height from the floor to the ceiling where your tree will stand. Then allow enough space for the tree stand and your chosen topper.
As a general starting point, choosing a tree around 30–45 cm shorter than your ceiling height provides useful clearance, although the exact amount will depend on your stand and decorations.
Don't forget width. Measure the available floor space as well as the ceiling height, particularly if your Christmas tree will stand in a corner, hallway or smaller room.
Cut or Pot-Grown Christmas Tree?
A cut Christmas tree is the traditional choice for an indoor Christmas display and is available in a wider range of sizes. With the right stand, regular watering and careful positioning, a fresh cut tree can remain an impressive centrepiece throughout the festive period.
A pot-grown Christmas tree is grown with its roots in the pot rather than being cut at the base. These trees are generally smaller and need different care, but can be a good option if you want a living tree.
Choose based on the size you need, where the tree will be displayed and what you plan to do with it after Christmas.
Christmas Tree Buying Checklist
Before ordering your tree, check these six things:
1. Measure your ceiling height
Allow room for the tree stand and topper.
2. Measure the available width
Check how much floor space the tree can occupy without obstructing furniture, doors or walkways.
3. Choose your tree type
Decide whether needle retention, scent, softness or appearance matters most to you.
4. Think about when you'll put the tree up
If your tree will be indoors for an extended period, variety, freshness and care become particularly important.
5. Make sure you have the right stand
Your stand needs to suit the size of tree you're ordering and should allow a cut tree access to water.
6. Check delivery availability
Confirm that delivery is available to your area and check the current delivery information before ordering.
Choosing a Fresh Christmas Tree
Freshness has a major influence on how a real Christmas tree looks and performs once it is inside your home.
Look for healthy, well-coloured foliage and a tree with a good overall shape. The branches should be suitable for the decorations you plan to use, and the tree should feel appropriate for its variety.
Once your cut tree arrives, getting it into a suitable water-holding stand and keeping it away from strong heat sources will help it stay at its best.
From Our Surrey Farm to Your Home
Choosing a Christmas tree is easier when you know where it comes from.
We grow our Nordmann Firs at our Surrey farm, where the trees are cared for and shaped as they mature before being selected for Christmas. We also work with trusted local growers to offer Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce.
That first-hand experience of growing and selecting Christmas trees informs the advice throughout this guide and helps us choose trees for shape, freshness and quality.
Christmas Tree Buying FAQs
What is the best type of real Christmas tree?
There isn't one best Christmas tree for every home. Nordmann Fir is a strong all-round choice if needle retention and softer foliage are priorities. Norway Spruce is ideal if you prefer the traditional Christmas tree shape and festive scent, while Blue Spruce is a good choice for distinctive blue-green foliage.
Which Christmas tree has the best needle retention?
Nordmann Fir is particularly well known for excellent needle retention. However, freshness and care also matter. Keep a cut Christmas tree supplied with water and position it away from radiators, fireplaces and other strong heat sources. View our Christmas Tree Care Guide.
Which Christmas tree smells the most traditional?
Norway Spruce is well known for the distinctive fragrance many people associate with a traditional Christmas tree, making it a good choice when scent is an important part of the experience.
What size Christmas tree should I buy?
Measure your ceiling and available floor space before ordering. Allow room for the stand and topper; as a general starting point, a tree around 30–45 cm shorter than your ceiling provides useful clearance. Check our Christmas Tree Size Guide for more detailed guidance.
Should I buy a cut or pot-grown Christmas tree?
Choose a cut tree if you want the traditional indoor Christmas tree experience and a broader choice of sizes. A pot-grown tree keeps its roots and is generally smaller, making it an alternative for customers who specifically want a living tree.
When should I buy my real Christmas tree?
The best time to order depends on when you want your tree delivered and how long you plan to display it indoors. Check current availability and delivery information when ordering, particularly during the busiest part of the Christmas season.
What do I need before my Christmas tree arrives?
Make sure you have measured the space, chosen a suitable position and have a tree stand appropriate for the size you're ordering. For a cut tree, use a stand that can hold water and place the tree away from strong heat sources.
Ready to Choose Your Christmas Tree?
Explore our real Christmas trees and choose from Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce in a range of sizes for Christmas delivery.