The Trafalgar critics are out in force, here’s how to get your own tree home in one piece…

DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: HOW TO GET YOUR FESTIVE FIR HOME IN ONE PIECE

Norway’s annual gift of a Christmas tree to the British people is a tradition stretching back 75 years. Kindly gifted in thanks for our support during the Second World War, the Trafalgar Square tree and its lighting ceremony has become a staple in the capital’s Christmas calendar.

The tree is not without its critics though, and as the 21-metre tall Norwegian spruce takes its place opposite Nelson’s Column this week, images are already circulating of its bare branches and seemingly uneven gaps. But, as many of us know, it can be tricky enough transporting an average sized Christmas tree back home in one piece without the added complication of transporting it just short of 1,000 miles, so what is the best way to transport your tree?

To find out, we went straight to the experts and asked Veronika Kusak, Director at Pines and Needles who has shared her advice to make sure your tree remains in tip top condition.

“First of all it’s always important to take the photos we see of trees like this with a pinch of salt. Trees of this size rarely look flawless as is, especially when they’ve been transported across such distances. You will often find that there’s a certain amount of sprucing up that goes on to make them look picture perfect. This often involves things like screwing in extra branches to fill gaps or clever positioning of lights and ornaments to mask certain areas.

“In the case of the Trafalgar Square tree, it really is more about the kind gesture of the Norwegian people and the 75 year tradition that we’re still able to take part in today, so really, looks aren’t everything!

“When it comes to getting your own tree home there are a few things you can do to make sure it arrives back in one piece. The easiest solution is to see if the store offers home delivery. All of our stores across London offer local delivery, which lets you choose your tree in person and have it dropped off the same day. Alternatively, you can buy your tree online to be delivered nationwide. Not only does that take the stress out of trying to negotiate a fir into the back of your car but it also means that you won’t have to do any of the heavy lifting either!

“If you are doing it yourself, make sure you come prepared with a dust sheet or blanket. Not only will this help to protect your tree when you’re moving it in and out of the car, but it also prevents any pesky needles making their way into your car upholstery. After all, nobody wants to be fishing pine needles out of the footwell months later!

“Once you’ve got the tree back home, if it’s going upstairs, remember to carry it trunk first and ensure that it’s fully lifted off of the ground – when it comes to carrying, the more the merrier especially if you’ve gone for a bigger tree. Dragging is what will cause your needles to drop before you’ve even removed the netting so having people on hand to help you lift it will make sure your tree is in fine fettle, ready for the festive season.

“Finally, if you’re aiming for a Christmas display to rival Trafalagar, don’t feel limited by your transport options and opt for a smaller tree. Especially if you’re buying from Pines and Needles, not only will we deliver your tree, but if you live in London we’ll install it for you too. Plus, we’ll even come back and recycle it for you in the New Year so we’ll take the hassle out of the post-Christmas clean-up too!”