How to choose and look after your Christmas tree

Christmas is fast approaching, and many of us are on the lookout for this year's Christmas tree.

But, this is a delicate art - especially when you live in busy London and have to navigate countless tree-buying options, crowded streets, and furniture Jenga to get your home feeling festive.

Here's a quick guide on what to look out for when buying your festive centrepiece and how to make sure it lasts through the Christmas season.

Before picking your tree, you need to check whether it fits the space you've got - whether that's a flat, a house, or something else.

Forestry England says you should measure your ceiling height and subtract at least 12 inches for a Christmas topper.

Plus, they say, think about the tree's diameter, as your Christmas centrepiece could take up a lot more room than expected.

When out shopping, you need to make sure your tree is in good nick before you buy. This means it's fresh and healthy, and won't lose all its needles before the 25th of December.

Once you've chosen a tree, you should gently pull a branch toward you. If lots of needles fall off, the tree might not last through the season, according to Forestry England.

You could also squeeze a few needles in your hand to check if the tree smells fresh before you buy it.

For many Londoners, getting a Christmas tree home is a challenge: brave the Tube? Drag it through crowded streets? Or strap it to your car in rush-hour traffic?

Transport for London (TfL) does not have specific guidance on taking Christmas trees on public transport. But, its general guidance says you must not bring anything more than two metres long on public transport, and more than you can carry yourself.

If you are driving with a Christmas tree, remember that everything you take has to be safely secured and "must not stick out dangerously", according to the Highway Code.

So, plan ahead - get a friend to help, make sure you can transport your tree safely and securely, and it's best to avoid rush hour if possible.

To give your Christmas tree the best chance of staying healthy across the festive season, you should:

• Trim the trunk: Sometimes the seller will do this for you. If they haven't, you should remove about a centimetre from the trunk as this will get rid of any hardened sap. For people who don't have the space or equipment to trim, get your tree in water as quickly as possible
• Keep it watered: Your Christmas tree needs to be kept in water all the time, so find a sturdy stand or base and check the water levels every day
• Avoid overheating: Try to keep your Christmas tree away from radiators and other heat sources. Constant heat will dry it out quickly

To stop curious pets from toppling over your Christmas tree, make it as secure as possible when you set it up.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home advises that you place it away from furniture that cats might use as a launch pad, and only use lightweight or fixed ornaments on the lower branches.

Christmas trees needles can be mildly irritating if chewed or swallowed, so sweep up fallen needles regularly and keep a close eye on curious pets. The water in the stand can become dirty, so keep it covered to stop animals from drinking it.

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