What is the best real Christmas Tree? Tips to choose right
Nothing beats the thrill of picking out your own Christmas tree–especially when it’s truly the best real Christmas tree!
You arrive at the farm as it’s bustling with fellow tree shoppers. The smell of pine is in the air, and so is the sound of children’s laughter as they help peruse the Christmas trees for sale.
Then, you think about the importance of this tree, and what it means to your entire holiday season. This tree will (hopefully) be with you for weeks. On top of that, it’s going to be in every photo op and exist in all your loved ones’ memories.
With all this in mind, you can’t help but long for that perfect Christmas tree, but what does a perfect Christmas tree even look like? And how do you find it in a forest of contenders?
Don’t stress, because we’ve collected tips that ensure you choose the best real Christmas trees for years to come. As a team that sources and inspects thousands of trees each year, we’re highly attuned to what makes the perfect tree!
So come along with us as we explore these tips for finding a tree you’ll treasure the whole season.
3 Tips on How to Select the Best Real Christmas Tree
Tip #1: Make Sure it Fits in Your House
As you peruse your picks of the farm during your Christmas shopping, you might find it all too easy to get carried away; you might get swept up in a gorgeous 8 ft-tall tree, for instance. You’re already imagining Christmas morning with it and, oh dear–it’s too tall for your living room.
Real Christmas trees come in a range of sizes, with the most popular usually between 5-7ft tall. Wherever you decide to place your tree, gather a rough idea of what height will suit your house best.
For smaller apartments with limited space, try a 5ft tree, as they are usually a year younger and much skinnier.
Meanwhile, if you’re in a larger apartment or small house, a 6ft is beautiful and bushy and will look fantastic in any space.
As for larger spaces with standard ceiling heights, why not splash out and get a 7ft tree? With its stately height and stunning appearance, it’s sure to wow your guests, especially once the Christmas decorations are up!
If you are lucky enough to have high ceilings and a wide corner, an even larger tree might be for you! We recommend getting one of these delivered and having someone strong to help you install it (you’ll thank us later). Just imagine the grandeur of an 7ft tree at your next Christmas party!
Tip #2: Keeping Things Fresh
Whether you’re searching “real Christmas trees near me” or heading to your go-to tree farm, it’s no secret that fresh is best. After all, a fresh Christmas tree is going to last longer, especially when properly cared for. Plus, it smells better than pre lit artificial Christmas trees.
That being said, what does a fresh Christmas tree look like?
For starters, the nettles on the tree should be green and moist, indicating the freshness of its cut, and shouldn’t fall off easily. Give your tree a shake to test them out.
Also, keep an eye out for browning on the tips of your Christmas tree. This is a good sign it’s got a little too much sun in transit, and will not recover with any amount of water.
Lastly, you must smell your tree! If you can’t smell that fresh pine fragrance, then tree is well past “fresh” status. Ask if the Christmas trees are fresh-cut each day and delivered directly from the farm.
The stump of your tree is another giveaway, just check out to see how fresh the sap looks. If the stump looks like it has dried up or is covered in dirt, request a fresh cut or do it yourself when you get home. Once you have it in your living room, be sure to place it in a tree stand filled with water to help prolong the life of your tree.
Tip #3: Stick With Bushier Varieties
In Australia, we mostly sell Radiata Pine trees, which are best when they are thick and bushy. This makes it the perfect canvas for your decorations.
If a Christmas tree has been pruned to perfection, it will have that full look without any visible gaps between branches. We recommend having a hand-span between the upper branches to provide the right look.
Keep in mind that the side facing the sun will always be a little more bushy, so when you get home, spin the tree around to pick the best side.
Christmas trees are usually transported stacked on their side in the truck, so look out for damage caused during transportation. A good way to tell is to give the tree a good shake to settle the branches, and if they do so, this tree might be the one for you. If any look overly squashed, it might be best to opt for another tree.
We hope that these tips help take the anxiety out of picking a tree this year!
Just remember, the perfect tree is the one that you decorate and enjoy with your family and friends. So go make a day of it and create some great memories in the process!
If you live in Melbourne, then you can rest easy by visiting our location or letting us deliver to your door. We hand-pick our delivery trees and guarantee you will like it or we will find a replacement! You’ll also find the best Christmas trees Brisbane has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of Christmas tree is best?
The best type of Christmas tree depends on your preferences, but at Real Christmas Tree Elves, we always recommend Monterrey Pine. Also known as Radiata Pine, Monterrey Pine is not only beautiful and fragrant, but it withstands Australian summers well. Whatever tree you consider, though, keep factors like fragrance, needle retention, and appearance in mind when deciding which is best for you.
What type of Christmas tree is sold the most?
The Monterey Pine fir is one of the most commonly sold Christmas tree in Australia due to its excellent needle retention, sturdy branches that hold heavy ornaments well, and appealing fragrance. Its classic shape and rich green color also make it a favorite among buyers.
Which type of Christmas tree smells the best?
The Monterey Pine is widely considered to have the best scent in Australian climates, offering a rich, strong, and classic Christmas tree fragrance. The varieties hold their moisture well in our climate which offers that strong pine scent that many find enjoyable.
What kind of Christmas tree loses the least needles?
Monterrey Pine is known for its excellent needle retention in the Australian climate. These trees hold onto their needles well, even after being cut and brought indoors, making them a great choice if you want a tree that stays fresh longer and drops fewer needles.
Which Christmas tree lasts the longest?
When it comes to Australian summers, Monterrey Pine tends to last the longest when properly cared for. With regular watering and keeping them away from heat sources, these trees can stay fresh for four to six weeks, making them ideal for those who like to set up their tree early in the season.
Best real Christmas tree with lights
If you prefer a real tree but want the convenience of pre-lit options, many artificial trees come pre-strung with lights, but for a natural real tree, consider using energy-efficient LED lights. When choosing a tree for lighting, Fraser fir and Douglas fir are good options because their sturdy branches can hold lights and decorations well, and their open branch structure allows for easy stringing of lights.