Christmas tree The use of evergreens to decorate homes dates back to pagan times, when they were considered to be a symbol of eternal life. They were used as decoration during the winter solstice, a celebration of light and rebirth. Today, about seven million Christmas trees are grown in the UK each year.

In this article

The history of the Christmas tree

Choosing a tree

Aftercare

It's generally believed that the first real Christian Christmas tree dates back to 8th century Germany. Boniface, an English missionary, introduced a decorated fir tree in homage to the Christ Child, as a replacement for the customary pagan sacrifices to Odin's sacred oak.

Later, evergreen, decorated trees were used to symbolize the garden of Eden in medieval German plays telling the stories of Christ's life. After the suppression of these plays, trees were taken into people's homes at Christmas time.

By the time of the Reformation in Germany these themes had fused together to create the image of an evergreen tree, radiant with light, as the symbol of reborn hope.

By the mid-17th century, Christmas trees with decorations were becoming popular. People would cut small firs and decorate them with sweetmeats, fruit and candles. By the beginning of the 19th century, the Christmas tree tradition had spread from Germany to other northern European countries. Although Christmas trees were not unknown in England in Georgian times, it was Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's German husband, who encouraged people to have a decorated tree at Christmas.

These days trees are generally grown as a specific crop and sold to garden centres and shops. You can buy direct from the growers if you visit Christmas tree plantations and some even allow you to choose and cut, or dig up, your own tree. If you buy direct, the tree will be at its freshest - and will therefore last longer in the home. This is the most environmentally friendly way of getting a tree as you can pot it up, or plant it out in the garden and reuse it.

If this isn't possible, choose one that is labelled as grown in Britain by a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), as this should provide some assurance that the tree is of good quality and freshly harvested.

Varieties of Christmas tree

• Norway spruce - the traditional choice and usually the cheapest. It has fallen from favour in recent years, as it tends to shed needles quite heavily. Nevertheless, if well watered and kept away from radiators it will drop fewer needles.
• Nordmann fir - the most popular tree these days due to its needle-holding qualities. It has strong, straight branches clothed with thick, flat needles with a silvery underside. But it's the most expensive as it's much slower growing.
• Fraser fir - this has a good shape and excellent needle-holding qualities.
• Blue spruce - this tree has a silvery-blue colour to the thick needles and an aromatic, citrus scent.
• Scots pine - a little more unusual, but a wonderful, bushy tree, with extra long needles that don't drop as readily.

Trees to plant outdoors

Don't plant Norway spruce unless you have a very large garden! It grows to about 30m (100ft) and drops needles all year. Instead, try:

• Abies koreana - grows to 12m (40ft) and therefore more suitable for the smaller garden.
• Abies procera - silvery-blue, fragrant tips, smooth, grey bark, and good needle retention.
• Abies fraseri - soft needles, which also hold well, and strong boughs that are ideal for supporting heavy ornaments.

• Buy the best specimen as early as possible in December and store it outside for as long as possible.
• If it is a rooted specimen, check the roots - if the tree has large roots but no root fibre, trim a small piece from the base of the root and keep the tree in water for a week.
• Plant in wet sand (any type - even builders' sand) or peat-free compost
• Water with 1L to 2L (1.5 -3 pints) of water a day.

Planting out your tree

If you want to plant your rooted tree outdoors at the end of the festive season, follow these steps:

• Acclimatise the tree to being outdoors again for a month.
• Start off with the tree in a sheltered area with some natural light - a porch, conservatory or garage and gradually move the tree down the garden to a more exposed area.
• If you have a very large garden and want to plant your tree in a lawn, choose a location in full sun, as this will ensure an even shape to your tree.
• Then dig a square hole, one spade deep. Cultivate the soil, paying attention to creating good drainage.
• Fill the hole and plant the tree on the resulting mound, making sure that the root collar is at ground level, not below - this will improve the tree's chances of survival.
• Keep an area up to 1m (3.5ft) around the tree completely weed free - mulch with bark. If planted in the lawn, this area should be up to 2m (6.6ft) around the tree.

If you are intending to reuse your Christmas tree, it's better to keep it in a container - a half-barrel is suitable, as the size will be more manageable. Keep the container on a trolley so it can be moved easily. When you bring the tree indoors next year, beware of bugs emerging due to central heating - and always pay attention to watering.

Growing a Christmas tree from seed

1. Choose your tree and buy seed - the internet is a good source.
2. Fill a pot with peat-free compost for seedlings.
3. Sow seeds on the surface.
4. Cover with horticultural grit that is twice the size of the seedlings. This allows more air to circulate and protects the seedlings when watering from the top and also recreates natural conditions.
5. Sow in February and provide bottom heat in May. Keep well watered in a greenhouse.
6. Once the seedlings emerge, prick out and transplant into 10cm (4in) pots.
7. Keep potting on as seedlings grow over the first 12 months.
8. Plant out when it is one year old.