Knowing your spruces from your firs, trimming rogue branches and watering up to three times a day are some of ways you can pick and maintain the perfect Christmas tree this year.

A team of garden experts at BillyOh.com have compiled a list of ten simple tips to help families choose the right Christmas tree and keep it looking fresh and healthy throughout the entire festive season.

The traditional tree is one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas, and many Brits place a lot of emphasis on picking the perfect tree to decorate their homes over December.

However, families are being urged to learn the difference between the types of Christmas tree available and choose carefully depending on their lifestyle, when they want to put the tree up, and the space they have available if they want to sport an enviable Christmas tree this year.

A spokesperson from BillyOh.com commented: “Nearly every family in Britain will have at least one Christmas tree in their homes throughout December, and many of them will be real trees that are especially grown and cut for the festive season.

“People opt for real trees opposed to the artificial kind for many reasons, but the amount of people who actually know how to properly care for a real tree is startling low.

“By choosing the right tree type for your family and lifestyle, and measuring any prospective trees before you take them home, you’ll be well on your way to keeping a fantastic Christmas tree this year – after all, a big tree isn’t always the best tree!

“We also recommend you use a quality tree stand that holds lots of water, trim any rogue branches that may make your tree look unkempt, and remember to keep watering your tree to keep it alive and looking healthy!”

Follow these ten easy steps to keep the best Christmas tree this year:

Know what kind of tree you want

Each tree species is a little different, so make sure you know your spruces from your firs before you set out on your voyage to bring back the perfect tree. If you have children or pets, you might want to opt for a pine or fir tree with soft needles instead of a spruce tree, which will have sharp needles that can hurt if you step on them. Similarly, trees with shorter needles are easier to decorate than others, as they offer more space between branches and have stronger stems to hold heavier ornaments.

Buy your tree at the right time

If you’re looking to buy a tree at the beginning of December, avoid Norway spruces as their needles drop early. Spruces usually last around 12 days, so will be a good option for those looking to put a tree up closer to Christmas. Nordmann firs are ideal if you’re looking to put a tree up a few weeks before Christmas as the needles won’t drop. However, they do cost more as they take around seven years to grow compared to five years for a Norway spruce.

Decide where to place the tree

Avoid placing your tree near sunny windows, radiators, heating vents and fireplaces. Try to keep the tree out of busy areas where it might be bumped or brushed against, or where someone could trip on light cords.

Measure… and then measure again

There’s nothing worse than picking out the prettiest Christmas tree you can find, to then take it home and discover it’s actually too tall or too wide for your room. Before you leave home to pick your tree, measure both your ceiling height, the width of the space where your tree will live, plus the height of your Christmas tree stand so you don’t have to recut the tree when you get it home.

Pick a quality tree stand

Choose a tree stand that is sturdy and a good size and remember that the taller your tree, the bigger diameter of the trunk. Look for tree stand models that hold lots of water; you’ll spend less time refilling the water pan throughout the festive season. Also try to pick a stand that is easily adjustable so the tree can be levelled out.

Check the tree’s freshness

Bend a single needle in half with your fingers; fresh firs should snap, while fresh pines will bend but should not break. A fresh, healthy tree’s needles will also look shiny and green, not dry and dull, and they shouldn’t fall off when you lightly pull on a branch.

Make a fresh cut

Once you get home, cut off at least half an inch from the bottom of the trunk so the tree will begin to soak up water immediately.

Make sure the tree is securely in the stand

To keep loose needles from messing up your floor, you may want to get your tree in its stand outdoors. You will need to tip the tree on its side and tighten the levelling clamps of the stand around the base of the trunk. Next, lift the tree to a standing position, being careful not to damage the feet of the tree stand, before carrying your tree into the room it will live in.

Trim any rogue branches

If any of the lower branches look straggly or hit the furniture or walls, simply trim them off. Try to trim at an angle that is about parallel to the floor, so cuts are less noticeable. You can then use these extra boughs and branches to decorate your fireplace, stair bannister or dining table – just keep them in water until you arrange them.

Maintain your tree’s moisture

To keep your Christmas tree alive and healthy, keep the water in your tree stand filled all the time. You may need to add water two or even three times over the first few days, and remember to check the water level every single day – set a reminder on your phone if it will help. After about a week the water intake will slow down and daily refills won’t be as necessary.