Types of Christmas tree to consider

Finding the perfect tree for you may come down to the slightest characteristics. Whether you want better needle retention, a specific colour, or affordability, there is a Christmas Tree cultivar for you. If you can, try to choose a Christmas tree which has been grown in the UK, rather than abroad.

See the below options of most chosen Christmas trees in the UK:

Picea abies (Norway spruce):

• A great conical shape, with plenty of high-fragrance branches for hanging decorations on.
• ‘Christmassy’ scent to enjoy.
• Perfect for offering a variety
• However, the needles can be a little sharp to the touch and can fall quite readily if too warm.
• Ideal for if you want an outdoor Christmas tree.

Abies nordmanniana (Nordmann fir):

• The Nordmann fir is the most popularly chosen Christmas tree in Europe.
• This tree’s shape is nice and even, and the foliage is quite soft as opposed to sharper needles. However, it is less fragrant than spruce trees.
• Also, the branches are nice and strong, perfect for positioning treasured ornaments.
• The needles are a luxurious, glossy green, with a softening light blue underside.
• This is a great choice for households with allergy sufferers. Because each needle has an added barrier of a thick, waxy coating.

Picea pungens Glauca group (Blue spruce):

• As the name suggests, the needles of this tree are distinguishable blue-green. Some trees are slightly bluer than others too.
• This blue shade may be quite lovely if decorating your tree with a snowy landscape theme in mind.
• The foliage offers a cosy ‘pine’ fragrance but be mindful of the sharp needles.

Abies fraseri (Fraser fir):

• This fir tree is great for retaining its rich, dark green needles.
• A classic pyramid shape, with branches turned upwards.
• Grows well as a compact tree, which is perfect for smaller properties, and narrower spaces.
• A great Christmas tree for young families, as the needles are nice and soft to the touch.

Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine):

• This is a great, tall choice if your home has high ceilings.
• To add to the height of this tree, the Lodgepole pine’s branches point upwards, creating an additional elevated illusion.
• This long-lasting Christmas tree will hold its needles for a long time and offers a lovely pine scent.
• You might consider this tree as pre-decorated (if you’re lucky). Some may have pinecones still on them when you purchase it.

How to grow a Christmas Tree in a pot

Once you’ve chosen the best tree variety for your needs, you need to care for it. A living Christmas tree has the benefit of being able to live on in your garden once festivities have ceased. But caring for your potted Christmas tree before Christmas, and whilst it is indoors, will be a great benefit for the plant.

Make sure when selecting your Christmas tree, you choose one which has been grown in a pot, rather than grown in the ground then dug up and potted. Pot-grown are likely to be much healthier and will last longer.

Firstly, you want to get the timing right. Bringing your Christmas tree indoors too early could mean the plant suffers, particularly in warmer rooms. Typically, the goal should be to keep a potted Christmas tree outside for as long as possible. Whilst it is still outside, make sure it has plenty of water and is in a sheltered position. Check the soil before watering though, to avoid waterlogging.

Aim to bring your pot-grown Christmas tree indoors a few days before Christmas. Then, you want to make sure it is back outdoors within a couple of days after Christmas has finished. A good rule of thumb is to keep it indoors for no more than 12 days in total.

Whilst it is indoors, position it somewhere cool, away from heat sources like radiators and fires. Somewhere with a decent amount of natural light will help too. If it is positioned in a corner, turn it slightly every couple of days, and the tree gets balanced light.

Finally, once the festivities of Christmas are over, it is time to take your tree back outdoors.

Growing potted Christmas Trees in the garden

What you do with your potted Christmas tree now, is up to you. If you plan to bring it back indoors again, you will likely want to continue to grow it in a pot. Alternatively, planting it out in the garden might be your preferred next step.

Growing potted Christmas trees outdoors

If you want to keep it potted to bring indoors next year, it would be sensible to move it into a larger container. Over the course of a year, the roots are likely to grow substantially, so their original container won’t be suitable. Repot it into a larger one with some peat-free compost, and water it in well.

Then, after a year of growth, it will be able to come back indoors in time for Christmas. Your Christmas tree will eventually benefit from being planted out rather than repotted. It will continue to grow and annually require a larger pot until it can no longer be moved in and out of the home safely. Once this time comes, consider planting it in your garden instead. Remember, eventually these trees will become quite big!

Once you are ready to take your Christmas tree outdoors, find a spot to let it acclimatise to cooler weather conditions first. For example, an unheated porch or garage would be perfect. Leave it there for a few days, before finding it a new home in the garden.

Planting potted Christmas trees outdoors

Eventually, your pot-grown Christmas tree will need to be planted out in the garden. You may choose to do this immediately or after a few years of continued pot growing.

First, choose your position. Find somewhere in your garden which receives plenty of sunlight, with well-draining soil. Once you have let your tree acclimatise for a few days, you can prepare to plant it out.

Choose a mild day, when the ground isn’t too cold and hard to work with. Then, you want to dig a hole for your tree. An Ames Tools Stainless Steel Border Spade is perfect for the job. Thanks to the narrow, strong stainless-steel head, you can pierce through the soil with little effort and limited disturbance to nearby plants.

Dig a hole the same depth as the existing rootball, but about 15cm wider. Place the tree into the hole, now out of its plastic pot, and make sure the base of the trunk is level with the soil. You could use your spade to check the level, by lying it down over the hole and making sure the base of the trunk is in line with the soil’s surface.

Finally, backfill the hole with some peat-free compost, and water well. If you want to guarantee the soil retains much-needed moisture after planting, apply a mulch to the surface, but don’t completely cover the trunk to avoid rotting. The following Christmases, you can decorate your established tree to enjoy in your garden for years to come.

Growing your own Christmas tree is a great way to maintain the joyous festive memories for years to come. Get the right tools for the job by finding your local AMES Tools stockist today.