Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees & Decorations

A real pine or fir tree absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, a service that cannot be provided by artificial trees. The Carbon Trust states that a real Christmas tree has a significantly lower carbon footprint than an artificial tree.

Artificial trees are made from oil-derived PVC, with a footprint of around 40kg - the equivalent of 10 return flights from London to Australia! Although they can be reused indefinitely, they are not recyclable or biodegradable and would need to be used for at least 10 years before it's more sustainable than a real one.

In comparison, a real tree has a footprint of 3.5kg, but only if you get it collected by your council to be recycled into bark chippings and compost. If you send it to landfill the footprint rises to 16kg as the methane produced as the tree decomposes is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Real trees also bring the Christmas spirit with their freshly scented needles, and create a fun festive event if you go and pick your tree! Try and buy locally from a British Christmas Tree Growers Association approved member near you to ensure you're buying from a sustainable plantation and supporting small business. Sadly, all Christmas trees tend to be netted to protect their needles, and it isn't normally recyclable. However, why not reuse it for a future garden project such as protecting your plants and crops from pests. 

Pot grown Christmas trees are a great alternative to cut trees as you can place the tree back in the garden to keep growing and be used again, year after year. They also won't drop as many needles as it's alive unlike cut trees. If you're hoping to bring it back inside for Christmas again, it's best to leave it in the container as firs don't respond very well to being dug up and repotted. Many places now also offer potted Christmas trees to rent, which is a great option if you don't have the space or worry about looking after it, so have a good search online to see what you can find in your area.

If you want to plant it in the garden after the festive season look for pot or container-grown trees rather than potted as this means the root ball is completely intact compared to being dug up and placed in a pot. Those that are dug up and potted will have experienced some trauma to their roots and are less likely to thrive after being planted.

1. When you first get it home keep the trunk of the tree immersed in a bucket of warm water so the sap doesn't form over the stump to prevent its ability to absorb water. Hot water from the tap helps prevent sap build up and helps the tree drink for a longer period of time. A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water in the first 24 hours.
2. Get a Christmas tree stand with a water reservoir and add warm water from the tap daily. This will prevent the needles from drying out and dropping off, and keep your needles fragrant.
3. Keep away from direct heat, radiator and fires, the cooler you keep it the longer it will last.
4. RECYCLE your cut tree! Your local council will recycle or some growers take trees back for chipping. Please don't send it to landfill as this contributes a huge amount of CO2 and methane into the atmosphere.

1. Don't immediately bring your tree into the house, place it in a sheltered spot in the garden, give it a good water down and a good shake to get rid of loose needles. Ideally leave it overnight before bringing inside to a cool area.
2. Keep trees away from direct heat, radiator and fires, the cooler you keep it the longer it will last. Do not keep potted trees in the house any longer than 12 days, pop it outside for 24 hours every week or so so it can breathe and you can shake off any loose needles, but be guided by the tree. If it looks unhappy, pop it outside.
3. Keep potted trees regularly watered, but don't over water, go by the feel of the soil. If your needles are brown and dropping off it needs more water, if it's too wet the roots will start to rot.
4. Keep your tree in a sheltered spot in the garden, whether you replant or keep it in its container. Feed a fir- appropriate fertiliser in the spring to give it a boost. Remember firs don't like being disturbed so never remove the tree from its original container (unless you're planting). If you want a different pot, just pop it in a larger outer planter.