Christmas trees

We're not exactly sure that we will be living in this flat next Christmas, so this Christmas I'd love to get a large real Christmas tree (we have lovely 12' ceilings and a leaded-glass bay window). (The fake trees I've seen are horrible, especially for the price you pay.)

My question is (since this is our first Christmas in our own place): are garden centre's the best place to buy a real tree?

Also .... do the mods create a separate Christmas forum this time of year?

We're not exactly sure that we will be living in this flat next Christmas, so this Christmas I'd love to get a large real Christmas tree (we have lovely 12' ceilings and a leaded-glass bay window). (The fake trees I've seen are horrible, especially for the price you pay.)

My question is (since this is our first Christmas in our own place): are garden centre's the best place to buy a real tree?

Also .... do the mods create a separate Christmas forum this time of year?

Most places will sell real trees (larger Sainsburys/Tesco/ASDA/Morrisons, etc) as well as B&Q, Homebase and more. My local fruit & veg guy sells trees every year. Most people dont put their trees up for another week or so, so keep your eye open as retailers will start to put their real trees on sale.

If you want a fake tree, we only paid £16 for a 5ft tree a few years back at Wilkinsons. Apparently ASDA are selling similar sized trees for the same price. Its in two pieces as well, so no annoying colour coated branches.

I would say garden centres and DIY shops are the worse places to buy trees, as they will be overpriced and often pre-netted so you can't even see the tree. If you live anywhere near the countryside, look out for farms where you can pick your own, as you'll get a much better deal and get the tree you want. They should cut and net it for you as well.

When it gets closer to Christmas, just keep an eye out for signs. Tree-selling places will start popping up!

We're not exactly sure that we will be living in this flat next Christmas, so this Christmas I'd love to get a large real Christmas tree (we have lovely 12' ceilings and a leaded-glass bay window). (The fake trees I've seen are horrible, especially for the price you pay.)

My question is (since this is our first Christmas in our own place): are garden centre's the best place to buy a real tree?

Also .... do the mods create a separate Christmas forum this time of year?

Good luck with your tree hunt! Growing up on a tree farm I love having real trees- but the prices tend to be high and quality low at a lot of chain places. Last year we got an OK fir from a local garden centre (we don't drive & lived in a large town- had to work with what we had!) and it was about £12/ft.

This year I was thinking about trying out Crockford Farms in Surrey- since we can take a train from London AND they have American Foods- but can't really recommend as I haven't been there! http://www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk/surrey-farm-shop/crockfordbridgefarm-christmas.htm

I always get mine from http://www.pinesandneedles.com/ but I go to one of their outdoor tree buying places and pick one out.

Ours lasted for several months last year outside after xmas, until it was killed by a particularly heavy frost in late march (poor thing), also it should have been repotted, watered and looked after, which I blatantly didn't do, choosing instead to just abandon it to the elements.

Our local florist in London has trees.  She also suggested http://www.flowerstation.co.uk/flower-station-map.html for a bigger selection.

There are some fairly nice local trees at the farm shops but we got one for the second year from Homebase (4-6ft) for £15 as we couldn't afford the local ones.  I miss picking one out from my grandpa's tree farm like I've had all my life but we've been happy enough with ones from the garden centre.  Going to put it up and decorate it today - can't wait!

This is great information, thank you everyone. We live in Englefield Green in Surrey. I'll check out the links that were posted. Now that I think about it, I believe I've actually seen a sign somewhere in this area for a Christmas Tree Farm. Must hop onto Google tonight....

I'm glad that of the very, very, very few things we brought back with us, one was my collection of sentimental Christmas ornaments.

I used to live in Charleston, SC and every year at the Omni Hotel they used to do a Christmas Tree event where local businesses would sponsor/decorate a tree. There must have been 30-40 trees and it was so neat to see how they were decorated. I especially liked it when the tree was decorated in a theme to match the business ... for example, a veterinarian's tree might be decked out with doggie biscuits, collars, etc.

 

Not all garden centres have poor quality trees.  My local, independent garden centre has amazing trees, all which come from local, sustainable forests and they're all a good price.  So it helps to keep your eyes open 

For Londoners, there's also Columbia Road Flower Market, too. When it gets cold they switch over to wreaths and Christmas trees, though parking can be tricky around there...

Minor hijack here, but I need help!

Fortunately we have a few places out here in the middle of no where for trees. However, there seems to be a shortage of places that sell Christmas tree stands. Sort-of-SIL's is leaking, and she's not well so she can't get out to get one or fuss around with the old one to try and fix it. We looked on Amazon, but they only guarantee shipping on Christmas tree stands by 24th December! Argos, Tesco, John Lewis even, no one seems to carry them. Where on earth do you get one?!

We're just going to loan her ours, and probably get a bucket if worse comes to worst, but I am mystified! 

Check Homebase or B&Q.

D'oh! Neither of those even occurred to me!  Thanks chary!

We live in a fairly built-up area (suburbia, really) but there is a farm shop here that has signs for Christmas trees and holly wreaths. I'd keep an eye out for any places like that near you.