Sprucing things up

IT IS time to think about choosing a Christmas tree.

We always have a cut tree placed by the living room window so we can see it waiting for us as we come home from work and school.

When the children were little, we could get away with a small tree placed on a box to keep it safe from tugging hands. To toddlers it must have looked tall and their memories are of the huge trees we always had when they were 'young'.

Now that the oldest is well over six feet, and the others rapidly catching up, it can be hard to satisfy this need for a big Christmas tree. Plus there are facts boring to teenagers to be considered, such as will it fit in the car, how much does it cost and will it fit through the front door?

Christmas trees can be found in most garden centres, markets, DIY stores and even supermarkets at this time of year, from small living potted ones to cut specimens several feet high.

There is usually a good range of species from which to choose, including the evocatively scented, but needle-dropping Norway Spruce, softly scented, needle-retentive Nordmann Fir and the greyish blue Blue Spruce.

Christmas trees are also available from tree farms where customers generally have more choice and the trees are fresh from a nearby field. The range of species is often wider and taller trees are usually available.

The website of the British Tree Growers Association - www.bctga.co.uk - provides a list of local growers, some of whom have their own websites listing what stock they have available. It also gives information about the care of trees, a poster guide to Christmas trees which can be downloaded and printed and lists of suppliers of tree stands, wreaths and display trees for hotels and so forth.

Local growers in our area listed on the website include Lowther Park Estate near Driffield, Stockeld Park near Wetherby, Grimston Nursery, Allerton Park Estate near Knaresborough and Duncombe Park Estate in Helmsley. This latter supplier has an excellent website with detailed information about the trees that they have. These include unusual species such as Scots pine and Lodgepole pine, and Douglas fir and Cork fir. This last tree is so new that there won't be any cut specimens available until 2007 but potted ones can be bought now. It is described as having good needle retention, strong branches and soft needles.

Ring any suppliers before setting out to check opening times and stock availability.

For those who don't want to have a cut tree in the house, a rooted and potted one is a good alternative. They tend to be more expensive but, with luck, there will only have to be the one outlay, because the tree should last for years if looked after carefully.

Then there are those of us who want the tree to be so personal that we are prepared to grow one from seed. I did this with my daughter half a dozen years ago when she was given a Grow Your Own Christmas Tree kit. The seeds were sown, with nine germinating successfully.

As the years passed, some died and one was given to the friend who originally gave the present. Now we are left with two little trees. They are now eighteen inches or so high with sturdy trunks and stems strong enough to be decorated with tiny baubles. They seem to be unaffected by their annual holiday indoors but they are carefully acclimatised over a couple of weeks when it is time to go outside again in January.

:: Christmas tree care

Saw 2cm from the base of the trunk before bringing inside.

Place in a water-filled tree stand or bucket weighted with stones and filled with water.

Place away from direct heat such as a radiator or fire.

Keep topped up with water.

Keep potted trees watered regularly.

Recycle cut trees by taking it to a recycling centre or by chopping it into logs for an open fire.

:: In the Garden is taking a break for the next three weeks and wishes all readers a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Updated: 15:43 Friday, December 09, 2005