Christmas How to pick the greenest tree at the best price

Our comprehensive guide to finding the perfect tree, whether real, potted, rental or artificial. Amy Sedghi measures up the options

- Amy Sedghi

Few things make it feel more like Christmas is coming than putting up and decorating a tree. Some fans of the festivities may already have theirs installed, complete with all the trimmings, but many households will be decking the halls this weekend.

If you've yet to hit the shops and are still wrestling with the traditional dilemma over what type of tree to get, we can help.

Buying a real tree that will be discarded come January can seem wasteful, but the alternatives - potted, rented and artificial trees - have both benefits and drawbacks.

The Carbon Trust says: "The most sustainable choice will depend on the tree, your plans for reuse, then options for disposal."

With that in mind, we've delved into each option and spoken to experts to help you make the best environmentally friendly choice for your home and budget.

Real Christmas trees

What you need to know

A real tree looks and smells fantastic, and picking one out is a much-loved Christmas tradition for many people.

These trees are readily available from garden centres, supermarkets and directly from growers. Firs, spruces and pines are the most common types, and the thick, bushy branches and slow-dropping needles of the Nordmann fir make it among the most popular.

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) advises finding one grown near to where you live. Its website has a useful search tool where you can find local suppliers by postcode and the types of trees on offer. The Soil Association also has a handy guide to how to source a local, sustainable and organic Christmas tree, with an explainer on what all the different certifications and labels mean.

"Look for one that is fresh - check the needles, as they should be flexible, and the tree should have a vibrant colour - with good overall symmetry," says Mairi Devlin, the head of Christmas at the DIY retailer B&Q.