Caring for your Christmas Tree

Here at Hambrooks, we’ll be taking delivery of our Christmas trees by 18th November. We look forward to that Christmas tree smell in the centre heralding the start of the festive season! Here’s our quick guide to the varieties we will have in, to help you make your choice.
christmas tree

Nordmann Fir

Possibly the most popular Christmas tree in Europe, the Nordmann is native to Turkey and the Black Sea, which means it does get exposed to warmer temperatures in its natural habitat.  It tends to have a fairly regular shape and strong branches, making them good for hanging decorations on.  The needles are a glossy dark green, with a light blue-ish underside.  Nordmann needles also have a fairly thick waxy coating, which can offer protection if your skin has reacted to other varieties of pine.

We will have cut trees in heights ranging from 3 feet (91 cm) up to 6 feet (2 metres).

christmas tree

Fraser Fir

The Fraser fir family is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the south-eastern United States, so another tree that gets some warmth in its native environment.  The Fraser tends to be a narrower growing tree, which might make it more suited to smaller spaces. Its needles are a silvery-green and soft to the touch, which perhaps makes it a child and pet-friendly choice. It also has a bit of space between its layers of branches, giving room for plenty of tinsel and ornaments. Frasers also tend to grow in a fairly regular shape, meaning it should look great from any angle.

We will have cut trees in heights ranging from about 3 feet (91 cm) up to 8 feet (nearly 2½ metres)

Care for your Christmas tree

Whether you have bought a cut or potted tree, the best thing you can do to care for it and extend its life is to keep it outside somewhere cool for as long as you can and keep it well watered.  If you can, store it somewhere that is protected from frosts and extremes of weather.

When you are ready to bring it indoors, if you have a cut tree, take a slice off the bottom of the trunk to help it absorb water (just as you would do with cut flowers).

For any tree, choose the right spot, preferably away from sources of heat (not just as a fire hazard but so that the tree doesn’t dry out too quickly).  And pick somewhere that you can easily get to it to water it regularly.

With care and regular watering, your tree should hold on to the majority of its needles and that lovely Christmas smell until after New Year!

Our trees are stored under cover and well lit so you are welcome to come and browse whatever the weather!

Read more about the history and tradition of Christmas trees here

Testimonials

Hambrooks

Testimonials

N. Haggard 20 September 2022

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how delighted I am with my new garden.

Jon, my designer, listened to my ideas and delivered on everything I asked for. I wanted something different to any garden I’d had before, no lawn, no landscaping but packed with plants. He designed such a lovely secret garden, around a statement tree. And I have to commend him for his unwavering patience! I changed my mind a hundred times but never did he give me the impression that he was losing patience with my endless indecision. And my confidence in him led me to place an order for over £10k.

My landscaping team, Blade and Tony, were exceptional, from their work ethic, skill and knowledge, to the way they dealt with me, the customer. My standards are very high and I couldn’t fault them.

All in all, a very professional team of people. And it showed that they all care. I’m over the moon with the finished result. I will send you a before and after photo. Thank you so much.

A delighted customer.

G. Gray. May 2022

My front garden has been transformed by Andy and Bradley who both worked incredibly hard and I am delighted with the result. Andy had the vision and skill to turn my idea into reality and I can't thank him enough.

C. Haig Sept 2021

We recently had our garden landscaped by Hambrooks and I just wanted to pass on my thanks, not just for the outcome - which is superb - but for the professionalism of all the staff involved on the job who are all a credit to you company. Mike, Dave, Les and Adam.

H. Sharp Sept 2021

I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am with my new garden. Melanie was a delight to work with and the ideas she had have worked perfectly. Also Sheldon laid the patio beautifully and him and Dave were a pleaseure to have at my house. Quiet workers and polite.

B. Rendell April 2021

I would like to say how delighted we are with the work carried out. Mel, Paul and Tony all worked very hard, they totally took on board the specific need relating to safety as well as the general garden issues. Paul and Tony were excellent at consulting and discussing with me what I felt best in terms of the brief and adjusting if and as necessary, constantly pleasant and polite to deal with. Mel had picked up on particular issues from the first consultation and offered valuable advice. The outcome means a great deal less worry for me going forward.
Altogether a very positive experience and outcome which I would not hesitate to recommend to others.

Stephen March 2021

Dom and Adam's work (garden maintenance) is greatly appreciated. Dom really listened to everything we discussed very carefully and went out of his way to understand and then act upon that discussion. We are extremely pleased with the work done - both to the pond and pyracantha.

Marsha

We have been coming to Hambrooks for years and it's our favourite garden centre because of its friendly helpful staff and a great selection of plants and trees and the garden design ideas.

“We wanted to write and say how pleased we are with our low maintenance garden makeover. We are very impressed with the attitude of your staff who were prepared to listen to our requirements. Your team John and Rick brushed up and left everything tidy at the end of the day. We now have a garden we can manage and it looks great. THANK YOU HAMBROOKS.”

Mr & Mrs Venables, Southampton. April 2019

“Dear Josh & Mike We just want to say you both did a brilliant job of designing our garden along with the guys who did the work who were amazing. A few weeks on its looks even better now some of the plants are blooming. Thank you!!”

Mr & Mrs Gazzard, Winchester July 2019

“To James, John & Rikki. Thank you so much, we are delighted with our new garden. We really appreciate the attention to detail, the high quality workmanship and the standard of the finished project. We are amazed at how John & Rikki resolved the difficulties of the site and by the quality of their craftmanship. It was a pleasure to work with them and thank you for making our ideas into something we will enjoy for years to come.”
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