How to choose and care for your Dobbies Christmas tree
You can find the perfect real tree for your home at Dobbies Garden Centres. Plus, discover the simple tips that’ll help yours thrive
For many of us, going out to choose a Christmas tree is one of the most-loved festive traditions – and it’s a great opportunity to spend some time with your family in the lead up to the big day. Once you get your tree home, there’s nothing better than letting it fill your living room with that lovely Christmassy scent, then watching it come to life as you dress it with decorations and pile up your gifts underneath.
If you’re ready to start the search for this year’s showstopper, Dobbies Garden Centres offers some of the best-quality real trees – all of which have been carefully selected by its horticultural experts. Read on to learn more about the varieties available, and how you can keep yours looking tip-top through the festive season and beyond.
Which tree should I choose?
With prices starting from £24.99, you can find all sorts of freshly cut Christmas trees at Dobbies. There’s the traditional Nordmann Fir, with lush, full branches that are ideal for displaying a vast array of decorations, or the more minimal Fraser Fir, which looks spectacular with a simple string of lights.
You might also want to try one of the pot-grown trees, such as the silvery Blue Spruce or the classic Noble Fir. Whichever one you pick, Dobbies has all sorts of sizes available – from tiny to towering – so you can find the right tree for your space.
Article continues below...
Grown with love
Dobbies’ real trees are all sourced from Needlefresh in Inverness, Scotland. There, the passionate growers do everything they can to make sure their trees are grown as sustainably as possible, with minimal impact on the environment, wildlife and other plants nearby.
Each tree is cared for by hand for up to 12 years, then once it’s fully grown, it’s hand-shaped to create that classic triangular silhouette. Any damaging insects, bugs and weeds are also controlled to ensure the trees reach Dobbies’ high standards.
In fact, Dobbies is so confident of their quality that each one is covered by a real tree guarantee, meaning you’ll get a free replacement if you’re not completely happy. Better still, for every tree cut down, Needlefresh plants at least two more in its place.
How do I look after it?
After you’ve chosen your tree and taken it home, you’ll want to cut an inch off the base of the trunk and stand it in a bucket of water, then leave it outside in a sheltered place until you’re ready to decorate it.
When it’s time to bring it inside, you’ll need to place it in a water-holding Christmas tree stand and check the water reservoir daily, refilling it if it’s empty. You may need to do this more regularly if it’s being kept in a warmer room. If your tree is potted, simply keep the compost damp and only water it when the top layer of soil feels dry.
What should I do with it after Christmas?
Pot-grown trees can be planted in your garden after Christmas, or repotted into a larger container so you can enjoy them year after year. If you decide to plant it, make sure you choose a sunny spot in well-drained soil and water it regularly. Pot-grown trees can grow very large, so you’ll need to leave enough room for it to flourish as well.
Alternatively, cut trees can be chopped into pieces and piled up with soil and leaves to create a shelter for wildlife, such as hedgehogs or insects. Or you can recycle yours through your local council, as many councils have recycling schemes which will compost your tree for you.