Holiday season: tips on how to choose your Christmas tree

The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF), as well as the Ministries of Economy and Agriculture, provide several pieces of information that can help you get a clearer picture when choosing your Christmas tree.

How to choose your natural Christmas tree?

If you want a natural fir tree, some labels guarantee the quality and origin of the trees on offer. For example, the ‘red label’ is awarded by the National Institute of Origin and Quality, on the basis of a specification approved by ministerial decree. If you choose a tree bearing the red label logo, you can be sure:

• that the tree is of the species Nordmann or Epicea, the two main varieties of natural fir trees (spruce is scented and has sharp falling needles; Nordmann has no smell, does not sting, is more bushy and does not lose its needles);
• it has been produced in identified nurseries which are subject to specific monitoring;
• it has no broken or dead branches;
• it is free from damage caused by parasites (fungi and insects) or by animals;
• it has certain precise aesthetic criteria (good branch density, a conical shape and a not too long arrow);
• that it was cut from 21 November in order to preserve its freshness.

From natural fir trees, you can also choose a tree labeled “organic farming”; this label means that no chemical fertilizers were used for the production of the fir tree.

How to choose your artificial tree?

An artificial fir tree has the advantage of being able to be reused from year to year, for a longer or shorter period depending on its quality of manufacture. However, from an environmental point of view it is not renewable or recyclable because it is made of plastic.

If you choose an artificial tree, before your purchase it is advisable to handle the branches to make sure they are strong enough to support the weight of the decorations, and at the same time check that the needles hold well. Moreover, the ends of the branches of artificial fir trees are often made of wire. It is therefore important to check that they are designed to avoid any risk of injury, for example by being provided with a guard.

This risk for artificial fir trees must be reported on the product. If not, you are advised not to proceed with your purchase. Likewise, if you choose a fir tree covered with flocking (artificial snow or frost), the flammability risk must be indicated. This is because it is important to ensure that a flocked tree does not come into contact with a flame or an incandescent body (such as candles or magic candles) because there is a high risk that it will catch fire.