Plants&Gardens
Find your perfect tree!
During the festive season there’s nothing like a real Christmas tree – so here’s how to find the one that suits your needs perfectly
A
real tree makes your home smell of the season so it feels festive from start to finish – but which type to choose? The options can be baffling, so here is Shire’s indoor gardening guide to help you pick the perfect Christmas tree this year from those widely available in the UK – with numerous retailers across the Shire patch waiting to provide you with the tree of your dreams!
Nordmann fir
Originating from the Caucasus mountains, where Europe meets Asia, this holds on to its soft, glossy dark green needles for the entire season so its growing popularity is not surprising. Its strong branches also produce the idealised pyramidal Christmas tree shape.
These trees’ inch-long, bluish-green needles give off a strong festive aroma and tend to turn upwards. With its short, stiff branches it is great for heavier ornaments and lasts throughout the season.
Stiff branches
Norway spruce
If you don’t want to spend loads and don’t mind a bit of tree care, this is for you. It has a classic form, a strong fragrance and shiny dark needles – but it does shed. Soft, glossy needles
Douglas fir
If it’s the classic aroma of Christmas you’re looking for then consider a Douglas fir. These trees are also popular for their colour, with a bluish-green needles that release a strong, sweet smell when crushed. They’re popular in the US and have a conical shape.
Noble fir
A strong sweet smell
Fraser fir
This has flat needles that are long, dark green on the top and silvery Perfect for decorations underneath, and well retained. Their scent is pleasant and they form a good shape with strong branches that turn upward – perfect for hanging decorations on.
Long cones
Scots pine
Bright green with stiff, dark green needles on branches that fall open and can accommodate more ornaments. It keeps its needles and aroma for around a month, and is also good for replanting if you want a tree to live in your garden.
Needles that fall open
TIP TOP TREE TIPS
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Buy from your local Christmas tree farm for a tree that hasn’t suffered too much in transit. Give a shake to check not many needles fall off. Trim the trunk to aid water absorption. Replenish the water frequently. Keep the tree away from heat sources to avoid drying. Take it down before it dries out to avoid needle mess.
TOP MARKS TO WOODWORKS GARDEN CENTRE
T
he Woodworks Garden Centre in Mold has been awarded full membership of the Garden Centre Association following a recent inspection by the industry body – as well as a Merit Award for Garden Construction. “We are thrilled!” says Iwan Gwyn, manager of the Woodworks Garden Centre. “The Garden Construction category covers the Zest 4 Leisure section within The Mill display area, which features fencing, trellis, timber and sheds and summerhouses. The auditor was extremely impressed by this category including the layout, environment, product, quality and value for money.
“Our café, indoor lifestyle gift shop and plants area also received excellent feedback.” The audit report also commended Woodworks’ cleanliness, product displays and good staff presence. Iwan says: “The team has worked really hard to ensure that we offer an excellent service so it’s brilliant that this was recognised in the report.”
The Woodworks Garden Centre
November/December 2021 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 85
Gardens NovDec 2021 FINAL.indd 1
29/10/2021 10:10
