Mansfield District Council has some top tips on buying, looking after and recycling your Christmas tree.

What’s best for me?

Selecting the right tree is a real family event that can be very exciting for children. Try to involve them in the whole process from planning where it will go to decorating.

Think about where your tree will go in your home and measure the space to give you an idea about the size of tree you can buy. Consider the height added by the tree stand and tree toppers too.

Trees come in all shapes and sizes. Some people might prefer tall and slender, whilst others prefer short and bulky so have a good look around so the tree you pick is right for you.

The traditional British Christmas tree, the Norway spruce is attractive, but has a tendency to drop its needles. Firs, pines and the blue spruce are very good at holding their needles.

Whichever tree you choose, check that it is fresh. It should have a good fragrance and attractive green colours. Needles should be flexible and not brittle.

Think about buying locally

The UK grows more than six million Christmas trees every year and imports an additional two million trees. Buying a Mansfield-grown Christmas tree helps to ensure that your tree has a lower carbon footprint and is fresher and in a better condition than a tree that has to be transported and stored.

Looking after your tree

A good, non-drop Christmas tree should last for several weeks but you need to take care of it properly. This means watering the tree daily and positioning the tree away from sources of heat.

Cut trees and those which have been grown in a container last longer than trees which have been grown in the ground and then put into a pot. A container-grown tree can be planted out in the garden when the festivities are over, although some trees can grow very quickly to a height of 100 feet.

Christmas is over – recycle your tree

You can take your real tree to one of Nottinghamshire’s recycling centres. Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) is currently running two household waste recycling centres in the district at Kestral Road, off Hermitage Lane, Mansfield and Oakfield Lane, Warsop. For opening times and facility locations, please visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/living/waste/recycling-centres/tip-locations/

This year, NCC is running a Tree-cycle scheme to help raise money for charity. For every 50 tonnes of Christmas trees received at the recycling centres throughout January 2016, Veolia (Nottinghamshire’s waste contractors) will donate £100 to the Royal British Legion- the charity chosen by Chairman of the County Council, Cllr Sybil Fielding .

Please do not put your tree in your household waste. When garden waste is buried at landfill sites, it decomposes without air, producing large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. You can remove the branches from your tree and place them in your brown bin. However, do not place the trunk inside.

Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, Cllr Andrew Tristram said: “Whatever Christmas tree you choose, we hope that you will dispose of your tree responsibly once the Christmas festivities are over. If you are not planting your tree, please take it to one of the County’s recycling centres and help raise money for a worthwhile charity.”