December 10, 2024, 2:02 pm | Read time: 12 minutes
It isn’t Christmas without a beautiful Christmas tree! You’re spoiled for choice because there’s so much to choose from. There are different varieties as well as different sizes and growth forms. myHOMEBOOK reveals what you should look out for when buying a Christmas tree – making the decision easier.
For many, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the festive decorations and creates a cozy atmosphere during the Christmas season. But there are a few things to consider when buying one: from the right type of tree to its origin and care. With a few tips, the choice is easier, and the tree will stay fresh and radiant for a long time.
Overview
Buying a Christmas Tree – What Should You Consider?
Imagination vs. reality: To find the right tree, it is first and foremost important to compare your own wishes, ideas, and domestic requirements with the characteristics of the various Christmas tree species. It becomes a little easier if you pay attention to the following six aspects.
1. The Christmas Tree Decoration
Think about decorating before you buy! Christian Mai from Werderaner Tannenhof recommends this to myHOMEBOOK:
“It makes sense to think about how you want to decorate your Christmas tree in advance. A tiered tree like the Nobilis, for example, is perfect for decorating with a few baubles or real candles. However, if you want to cover your tree with decorations, a very full, lush tree is ideal.”
How large and expansive the tree can be naturally depends on the space available in your home. Incidentally, half of all consumers opt for a tree between 1.50 and 2 meters. Only 27 percent choose a smaller tree, according to the study “Purchasing a Christmas Tree 2018” by the Bundesverband der Weihnachtsbaumerzeuger in Deutschland e. V. ( Federal Association of Christmas Tree Producers in Germany).
2. The Weight of the Christmas Tree Decorations
The weight of the Christmas tree decorations also plays a role in the purchasing decision: “Very heavy Christmas tree decorations are not compatible with very soft branches.” So before you buy your Christmas tree, feel free to bend the branches to make sure that nothing sags involuntarily later on. If you are unsure, you can simply try hanging a Christmas tree ball you have brought with you.
3. The Shape of The Tree
To ensure that the decoration is shown to its best advantage, many people pay attention to an attractive growth habit. The Verband Natürlicher Weihnachtsbaum e. V. advises looking for an even and round shape.
4. The Idea of Safety
Nordmann fir or blue spruce? This decision is not only a question of taste – but also of safety. Christmas tree expert Mai recommends the popular Nordmann fir for families with children. This tree has particularly soft needles and is, therefore, safer than blue spruce, for example.
This, in turn, can be ideal for pet owners. The pointed, prickly needles of the blue spruce make it less attractive for four-legged friends. With such a prickly Christmas tree, cats are unlikely to pull themselves up the tree trunk and bring the decorated tree down.
5. Durability
Not all Christmas trees are the same. This is also reflected in the durability of the different varieties. It is important to think carefully in advance about how long the tree is to be put up. Robust varieties, such as the Nobilis, Nordmann, and Colorado firs, can withstand up to three weeks in a warm environment. Spruce trees, on the other hand, needle comparatively quickly.
6. The Idea of Sustainability
Between 24 and 25 million Christmas trees are sold in Germany every year, according to the Bundesverband der Weihnachtsbaumerzeuger e. V. (Federal Association of Christmas Tree Producers). The import share is now less than 10 %. Incidentally, the main importing country is Denmark. “If sustainability is important to you, you should buy your Christmas tree from a local producer. This supports the regional economy, and you get a freshly cut Christmas tree. This avoids long transportation routes,” explains Saskia Blümel, Managing Director of the Bundesverband der Weihnachtsbaum- und Schnittgrünerzeuger in Deutschland e. V. (Federal Association of Christmas Tree and Cut Greenery Producers in Germany), when asked by myHOMEBOOK.
Choosing a tree from organic, regional forestry protects the environment and conserves resources – and sometimes, you can even pick up a saw yourself. More and more local foresters, tree nurseries, and fir farms are now offering self-cutting. Choosing the right Christmas tree can thus become a special experience for young and old alike as a family outing.
Incidentally, the Verband Natürlicher Weihnachtsbaum e. V. (Natural Christmas Tree Association) points out that you can buy a natural Christmas tree with a clear conscience. Thanks to its sustainable cultivation, the Christmas tree is considered climate-neutral. This is because it binds more CO2 during its growth than it can later release again. In this way, its CO2 balance is balanced.
Tip: Look out for the Fair Tree certification when buying your Christmas tree. This identifies Fair Trade Christmas trees. The project supports fair wages, the promotion of better working conditions, and social projects in Georgia. Georgia is one of the poorest countries in Europe and the country of origin of Nordmann fir seeds. These are harvested under risky conditions.
The Right Time to Buy Your Christmas Tree
Cut late and store for a short time: if you want to enjoy your Christmas tree for a long time, you can take these two aspects to heart. According to the Verband Natürlicher Weihnachtsbaum e. V. , two-thirds of trees are only sold after the third Advent. However, with appropriate care, the felled trees can also be stored for between four and six weeks. But how can you tell if a Christmas tree is fresh when you buy it? Christmas tree expert Mai recommends paying attention to the following aspects:
- The needles should make a fresh impression and have a nice, rich, green color. An easy rule of thumb to remember: the shinier the needles, the fresher the tree.
- Look at the wood of the trunk. If it is light in color, the tree is freshly cut. If, on the other hand, the cut surface is creamy brown, it has been felled some time ago.
Set up the tree at least one day before decorating. This will give the tree time to develop naturally. Tip: Cut the netting from bottom to top.
Christmas tree freshness test: Stomp hard on the ground with the stem of the fir tree. If the tree is fresh, a few needles will fall off. This will also get rid of many insects from the tree.
Transporting the Christmas Tree and Storing It Correctly
Once you have found the right tree, it’s time to bring it home safely and carefully. It is now important to protect it from the wind and transport it in accordance with safety regulations. According to the experts, the tree is easy and uncomplicated to transport in the car with the passenger strapped in.
At home, the tree can be conveniently stored in a net in a sunny and wind-protected place outdoors or in a garage until it is put up. Important: Be sure to keep the tree constantly supplied with water!
How Much Water Does the Christmas Tree Need?
Christmas trees are quite thirsty. A two-meter-high tree needs around two liters of water a day. However, this amount can vary depending on the location. In any case, you should not place the Christmas tree in front of a heater or stove, as it will dry out too quickly and lose its needles. In some cases, it can be useful to mist it with a little water. This increases the humidity, and the tree may lose its needles less quickly.
Should You Add Additives to the Water?
Some people also add certain additives to the water in the tree stand to keep it fresh for longer. However, it is not clear whether this has any effect. According to the “Natural Christmas Tree Association,” it is not necessary to add additives such as glycerine to the water if the tree has been shortened and is standing in water.
However, the German Forest Protection Association recommends adding a tablespoon of sugar to the water. Alternatively, you can also use Blumenfrisch. These are the sachets you get when you buy a bouquet of flowers. The NRW Chamber of Agriculture says that the additives have no effect whatsoever but advises against using glycerine or antifreeze.
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Buying a Christmas Tree – an Overview of the Varieties
For around 90 percent of all families, a Christmas tree is indispensable. But the choice is not that easy. However, with a little knowledge about the common Christmas tree varieties, the decision and choice can become much easier.
According to the Bundesverband der Weihnachtsbaumerzeuger e. V., the Nordmann fir (approx. 75% market share) is Germany’s most popular Christmas tree. It is followed at a considerable distance by the blue spruce (approx. 15 % market share). Other spruces, the Nobilis fir and the pine (approx. 10 % market share), are the third most popular Christmas trees.
The Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
In terms of popularity and price, it is by far the unbeatable classic among Christmas trees: the Nordmann fir. Grown exclusively for Christmas tree sales, it grows for 12 to 15 years before it finds its way into people’s living rooms. It is particularly popular due to its uniform growth, high needle strength, and soft, firm, shiny, lush green needles.
The Perfect Christmas Tree for :
- Families with children
- A long standing time in the home
- Heavier Christmas tree decorations
The Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
The blue needles are probably the most obvious and name-giving feature of this classic Christmas tree variety. Depending on the type of spruce and the weather conditions, the color varies in intensity. The strong, tiered branches are characteristic of blue spruce trees.
The Right Christmas Tree For:
- Real candles
- Heavier Christmas tree decorations
- Lovers of the intense scent
- Pet owners
- A shorter standing time
- Cooler, but also warmer rooms
The Nobilis Fir (Abies nobilis or A. procera)
Its gray-green branches are soft and have a pleasant orange scent. The Nobilis fir, also known as silver fir, is in the same price segment as the Nordmann fir but stays fresh for longer. Its growth is somewhat more uneven, and the distance between the branches is slightly larger.
The Right Christmas Tree for:
- Lovers of this still relatively unknown Christmas tree species
- A long standing time in the home (up to 4 weeks and longer)
- Heavy Christmas tree decorations
The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
It is one of the most widespread tree species in Germany’s forests. However, this type of Christmas tree is less common in German living rooms – and quite wrongly so. With its long, soft but pointed needles and interesting growth habit, the pine is a wonderful and, above all, native alternative to Nordmann fir and the like.
The Right Christmas Tree For:
- Lovers of an unusual Christmas tree
- Light, minimalist Christmas tree decorations
- Careful people with a sense of beauty
The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Originally native to the Pacific coast of North America, the Douglas fir is now also being cultivated for the German Christmas tree market. It is characterized by its lovely, orange-like scent and its flexible branches with soft, thin needles. Their standing time is comparable to that of a blue spruce. They are also in the same price segment.
The Right Christmas Tree for:
- Lovers of the intense scent
- Light Christmas tree decorations
- For outdoor use, but also suitable for indoors
- Lovers of loose growth
Colorado Fir (Abies concolor)
The Right Christmas Tree for:
- Lovers of the intense scent
- Light tree decorations
- Cooler, but also warmer rooms
The Colorado fir is one of the nobler Christmas tree species. It is considered to be particularly robust and climate-resistant and is therefore suitable for both cooler and warmer rooms. If you choose a Colorado fir as your Christmas tree, you can enjoy it for a good three weeks. If you place it in a slightly warmer location, it will give off a pleasant, typical scent.