Choosing a real Christmas tree can be a magical part of the festive season - but how do you pick a healthy one and ensure it lasts throughout the holidays?

To answer that question, Forestry England has created a Christmas tree guide offering tips on choosing the freshest tree, watering and caring for it so it stays beautiful and decorating it in a fun and sustainable way.

Picking your Christmas tree

• Check the tree's branches: take a branch with your thumb and forefinger and gently pull it towards you. If lots of needles come off, the tree is not fresh and won’t last.
• Smell the needles: crush some needles in your hand and see if they release a good scent. A fresh tree should be fragrant.
• Bounce the tree: beware of lots of falling needles, while a small amount of shedding can happen, if there is a lot of shedding with little movement, do not buy it.

Keeping your tree happy

• Give your trunk a trim - saw just over a centimetre, or half an inch, off the trunk to get rid of any hardened sap and then put it straight into water. This will help the tree to absorb lots of water to stay fresh and green throughout your festivities.
• Keep it cool - your tree’s natural habitat at this time of year is out in the cold air. Minimise the shock of your tree’s new home and keep it happy by putting it a good distance from the radiator.
• Don’t forget water - make sure you choose a sturdy stand that can hold a good amount of water. Your Christmas tree needs to be kept in water all the time, so finding a base with a good well that you can easily top up is important. Check your tree’s water every day, you'll be surprised just how thirsty they can be!
• Leave the gimmicks - you might have read that cola or corn syrup in the base helps to keep your tree alive, or maybe the garden centre says you need special tree food? Don’t fall for it! Your tree just wants a constant supply of fresh water.

Accessorising your tree

• Mini me tree - decorate pine cones to create a mini Christmas tree, or paint a pine cone robin.
• Create a twig star - ditch your plastic tree topper in favour of a lovely handmade stick star. Start by placing five twigs in a star shape. Using twine or string, tie the sticks together at each point of the star. Wrap the twine around all the sticks at the point several times. Pull it tightly to make sure it holds securely.
• Scented orange slice - simply slice an orange, decorate with cloves and pop in the oven at the lowest setting for around an hour.
• Salt dough decorations - make some salt dough, roll it out and use Christmas cookie cutters to make festive shapes. Remember to make a hole in the top of each shape for hanging. Pop them in the oven on the lowest setting for three hours or until solid. When they are cool, paint and decorate and to finish, loop ribbon through the hole and tie at the top.

Forestry England manages the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests and sells high-quality, home-grown Christmas trees in 12 of them. You can find your nearest location here. Get an activity pack here for more Christmas crafting fun.