Christmas How to pick the perfect tree for the best price

Millions of real trees are sold each year, and prices vary widely. Zoe Wood gets expert tips on which type to choose and where to find good deals

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For many Britons, putting up their tree is the ritual that marks the official start of Christmas, with the second week of December a popular time to deck the halls.

While surveys suggest that about two-thirds of the population will opt for an artificial tree, millions of real ones will be sold this month. As usual, the competition is fierce on the high street, with some supermarkets selling the most popular tree - the Nordmann fir - for under £15.

B&Q says it is experiencing growing demand for bigger real Christmas trees, “with more customers looking for statement centrepieces in their homes”, while “mini trees” are becoming more popular for decorating multiple rooms, desks and for gifting.

What you end up paying will depend on where you live and the local competition.

“The price of trees always varies regionally and between individual retailers,” says Russell Parkins, the chair of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), who runs a tree farm in Hertfordshire.