Christmas tree - real or fake?

[Jesse]

Real tree for us although this year I have also bought a pot grown one which I plan to re-use each year (that's if I don't kill it between now and next Christmas). I don't mind buying a real cut tree, the way I see it, I am supporting the local farmers (I only buy from local farms), if no-one bought the trees then that space would probably be used for something else and so long as trees are growing there they provide a habitat for wildlife and the trees are replaced with little ones when they are cut down. After Christmas my tree goes through the shredder and is used in the garden so I am recycling it aswell.

[Jesse]

[Wicker]

Used always to have a real one but quite a numer of years ago I attended an office chrissie party, partook of refreshments (liberally), went to "tree shop" bought tree and arranged to pick it up next day. When Mr W brought it home it was too big and he had to keep sawing bits off the bottom to get it to fit and there were needles everywhere.  That was the last real tree!! I've never been happy with artificial trying to look real, so now have one that was intended as a shop window decoration - no branches, collapsible gold foil and leaves pyramid and quite effective!

[Mrs Gumboot]

Have a fake one we brought about five years ago while at uni.

Fantastic as we don't have a lot of spare space & I can squash the fake one into the corner without wrecking either tree or wallpaper.

Didn't think it looked very good this year though so I went for a walk over the park with carrier bag & secateurs & pinched a free branches of assorted greenery. Dressed the mantlepiece, fire (we don't use it - honest!) and base of the tree with greenery.

Mr Gumboot was a little shocked when got back from the pub - does em good to be surprised every now & then!

Merry christmas all  :halo:

[Garden Manager]

WOW - just sen the results - neck and neck eh?

IMO there is no perfect christmas tree. Both real and fakes have their problems.

Real trees have to be bought new each year (unless you grow your own - hehe), They drop needles and need looking after to make then last (yes that means watering like any other houseplant). Fakes on the other hand last for a few years, are more cost effective as a result, and dont drop needles (but old ones might 'moult' a bit).
On the other hand 'fakes' never truly look realistic, no matter how hard the makers try. They can also be a real fiddle getting set up and looking good after being stuffed in a box in the attic for 11 months ::). For me setting up the tree is the worst part of putting the decorations up each christmas (i nearly didnt put one of ours up for this reason).   :(

With real trees they are basicaly 'ready to go' as soon as you get them home.  Just make sure they fit the house thats all!  ;D