For countless households across Britain, the ceremonial unboxing of decorations and the raising of the Christmas tree officially heralds the festive season. The second week of December remains a peak time for this cherished tradition. While artificial trees dominate in around two-thirds of homes, millions of real trees will find a place in UK living rooms this month, sparking fierce competition among retailers.
What Determines the Price of Your Christmas Tree?
The final cost of your festive centrepiece hinges on several key factors. Where you live and the level of local competition between sellers are major influences. Russell Parkins, Chair of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), explains that prices always fluctuate regionally and between individual retailers.
Parkins, who runs a tree farm in Hertfordshire, highlights the long cultivation process: "An average 6ft British Christmas tree takes about 10 years to grow". Consequently, today's price reflects a decade of rising production costs, though individual growers manage their own margins.
Choosing Your Tree: Types, Tips, and Top Deals
The Nordmann fir stands as the nation's favourite real tree, prized for its soft, dark needles that drop far slower than the traditional Norway spruce. At Parkins' Dane End Christmas Tree Farm, for instance, a 4ft Nordmann starts at £39, while a Norway spruce of the same size is £26.
Mark Sage, lead outdoor buyer at B&Q, notes a trend towards larger 'statement' trees and popular 'mini trees' for desks and gifting. His top tip for freshness is the "bend test": needles should be bright green, flexible, and firmly attached. A heavier tree often indicates good hydration.
For the budget-conscious, supermarkets are battling with cut-price promotions. Aldi and Lidl are offering medium Nordmann firs (5-6ft) for £14, with large trees (6-7ft) at £20. Tesco has 'half-price' trees starting at £15, and Asda also has options at £15.
B&Q's range spans from a £20 4ft Nordmann to a £250 10ft Fraser fir. Andy Little, Christmas tree buyer at British Garden Centres, details their pricing: a small cut tree starts at £30 across 73 stores, with Fraser firs sometimes £5 cheaper than equivalent Nordmanns.
Cut vs. Potted and Ensuring Your Tree Lasts
Shoppers can choose between cut trees and pot-grown varieties, the latter being ideal for planting in the garden afterwards. Little notes that a 5ft premium pot-grown Nordmann fir costs about £15 more than a cut tree of the same quality (£59.99 vs £44.99).
To support local farmers and reduce 'tree miles', consider buying British. The BCTGA provides an online directory to find your nearest grower. Ikea also runs a specific promotion at selected stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Gateshead, Leeds, and Bristol, offering a £20 voucher with a £29 tree purchase.
Before you shop, measure your space carefully, accounting for the stand and a tree-topper. Once home, saw a slice off the trunk to remove the sap plug and place it in a water-holding stand. With proper care, including regular watering, a real tree should retain its splendour right through to New Year's Eve.
