Pick a Christmas tree at a tree farm

Cutting your own Christmas tree is part walk in the cold, part treasure hunt, and part small workout. If you have never done it, it is simpler than it sounds: you pick a tree, saw through the trunk near the ground, and carry it back. Here is how to do it without the usual problems.

When and where to go

Go in daylight, and start in the morning or early afternoon. Winter dark arrives early, and you will want time to look around properly, cut the tree and get it home before it is dark.

Choose a day with decent weather if you can. Rain makes the ground muddy and the tree heavy, and a very cold, windy day makes everything harder. Many farms get busy on weekends in December, so a weekday or an earlier weekend is usually calmer.

Before you set out, check three things:

• The farm’s hours and whether you need to book a slot. Many farms list this on their website.
• Whether they provide saws, or whether you should bring your own.
• How they charge. Farms often price by tree type or by height, and it can be a small treat rather than a big spend.

Not all farms are cut-your-own. Some sell pre-cut trees only, so look for one that says you can choose and cut your own.

Before you leave home

Measure your ceiling, and then measure the stand. Subtract the height of the stand and your tree topper, and leave a little air at the top. A tree that looks modest in a field looks much bigger in a living room, which is why this step matters.

Also decide where the tree will go. Pick a spot away from radiators, heaters and fireplaces, because heat dries a tree out quickly. Measure the width of the space, too, since the bottom branches spread further than you expect.

What to wear and bring

Beyond the gloves, rope and ceiling height, bring:

• Waterproof boots or shoes you do not mind getting muddy
• Warm layers you can add to or take off, since you will be walking and sawing
• A tape measure
• An old blanket or a tarp for the car
• A thermos, so you have something warm when you finish

Layers matter more than one thick coat. If you get sweaty from walking and sawing and then stand still, a damp base layer will make you cold fast.

How to choose and cut your tree

1. Walk the whole field before you decide. The first tree you like is rarely the best one, and the rows near the entrance are often picked over.
2. Check the trunk. It should be straight and thick enough to fit your stand, with a clear stretch at the bottom you can put in it.
3. Look at the shape from every side, and decide which side will face the room. The back can be flat or sparse if it goes against a wall.
4. Check it is fresh. Bend a needle: it should snap or bend rather than feel dry. Run a branch gently through your hand and see how many needles come off.
5. Measure it against your ceiling measurement, standing next to it, and then check again.
6. Cut it. Kneel or crouch and saw straight through the trunk close to the ground, keeping the saw level. A farm worker will often show you, and you can ask for help with the last part as it falls.
7. Have a friend hold the tree upright as you cut so it does not drop on you or snap the trunk.

Getting it home

Ask the farm to shake the tree to loosen dead needles, and to wrap or net it so the branches are folded in. Many farms offer both.

Lay a blanket on the roof or in the boot. If you carry a tree on the roof, point the trunk towards the front of the car and tie it down at two or more points with rope or straps. Drive slowly, and check the ties after the first few minutes. A tree that comes loose on the road is dangerous for everyone behind you.

What goes wrong

• It is too tall. Measure again before you cut, and remember the stand and topper. You can trim a bit off the bottom, but not the top.
• The tree will not fit the stand. A trunk that is too thick will not go in. Check the stand size and the trunk before you cut.
• The needles drop in handfuls. The tree is dry or old. Walk on and choose a fresher one.
• You get cold and wet. Dress in layers and bring a spare pair of gloves. Leave when you are cold, rather than pushing on.
• It drinks up all the water. That is normal. A fresh tree drinks a lot in its first days, so check the stand every day.

Once it is home

Before you put it in the stand, saw about an inch off the bottom of the trunk. A fresh cut helps the tree take up water. Put it in the stand straight away and fill the stand with water. If the tree sits without water for a few hours, the cut can seal over and it will drink less.

Then keep the water topped up, every day. Keep the tree away from heaters, fireplaces and candles. Check your light strings for damaged wires or cracked sockets before you put them on, and turn the lights off when you leave the house or go to sleep.

Make it a winter day

Pair the trip with a hot drink and a walk, and bring the tree home for an evening of decorating a Christmas tree. The smell of a fresh tree fills the house, and cutting it yourself makes it feel like yours.