Spruce up Christmas by saying no to fake fir

YOU’VE probably got your Christmas tree by now, and I hope it’s a real tree grown in Ireland and not a plastic, made-in-China, job.

If there is a real tree standing in your house, festooned with decorations, it may be useful to know a bit about it. At least you’ll be able to use the information to bore your less favourite relations when they visit.

A number of conifer species have been used as Christmas trees since 1844 when the custom was first introduced into these islands by Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband. But the original of the species is the Norway spruce, and it’s still the most popular and widespread Christmas tree in Ireland. It looks good, it smells wonderful and growers find it quick to produce. It has the disadvantage because it starts shedding needles after a week or so in a heated environment.