Christmas Trees and Festive Plants
Make it a natural Christmas this year with plants, flowers and foliage. Scroll down to find out about the benefits of a real tree, how to make a DIY Christmas wreath for your door with natural greenery, and how to care for the iconic Christmas plant, Poinsettia!
Christmas trees
This year, over 500,000 Christmas Trees will be grown in Ireland, resulting in a market valued of €21 million*. It takes a decade for each tree to reach full maturity and a height of 2 meters, highlighting the care and attention taken by growers to supply this festive favourite!
*Industry figures, according to The Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association
'Love a Real Tree' Campaign
The Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association's initiative, 'Love a Real Tree', aims to highlight the benefits of choosing a real Christmas tree for your home.
Speaking about the campaign, grower Christy Kavanagh said, “The look, the scent, and the very feel of a real tree are all part of the Christmas tradition! Growing the perfect tree takes more than planting a tree and hoping for the best. It takes seven to ten years to produce a 2 metre tall tree, and this means year-round care for the life of the tree by growers to produce the best tree possible. When you buy a real Christmas tree, carefully grown locally, there is that extra special knowledge that you are supporting nature and the environment.”
Why buy a real Christmas tree
- Irish Christmas trees remain fresh due to the reduced travel stress on them.
- Once cared for properly, non-shedding trees such as the Noble Fir and Lodge pole Pine will retain their needles for weeks in your home.
- Real Christmas trees can be recycled after use at locations nationwide, creating compost for gardens and landscape use.
- Each tree is cultured as an individual tree and produced to the highest quality standards from the time they are planted right through to delivery.
- In accordance with sustainable yield management promoted by the Forest Service, new Christmas trees are continually being planted to replace those trees harvested.
- During the ten year growing period, one hectare of Christmas trees produces between 70 and 105 tons of oxygen.
Caring for your Tree
- After purchasing your tree, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the tree’s stem and stand it in a bucket of water. Shake off any loose needles before bringing the tree indoors.
- Once inside, stand the tree in a special Christmas tree stand or in a bucket with a water bowl. Add a pint of water to the water bowl and top up daily.
Christmas Tree Safety
- Place the tree in the coolest part of the room making sure it is properly secured and away from doorways, stairs, heaters, radiators and open fires.
- Make sure that lights on the Christmas tree or lights used for decoration elsewhere are properly wired and comply with the current EU standards of safety.
- Always unplug tree lights and other decorations when leaving the house or going to bed.
Where to buy
Find out where the nearest Christmas tree outlet is in your area. This can include shopping centres, garden centres and any of the members of the Irish Christmas Tree Association. You and your family can have a lovely Christmas experience by travelling to a Christmas tree farm where you can select your own tree and have it cut down. Alternatively, you can choose one already on display. Click here to find a full list of sellers.
After Christmas
After the festive season, your tree can also be recycled for use as mulch - check your local Council or Corporation website for Christmas tree recycling arrangements. If potted, your tree can also be replanted in your garden.
Make your own Christmas wreath
Join Niall McCauley (@NiallGardens) as he guides you through creating a beautiful Christmas wreath, adding a special touch to your holiday decor. With Christmas just around the corner, crafting your own wreath is the perfect way to bring something a touch of magic to your home this Christmas.
In the video above, Niall provides a step-by-step guide, allowing you to use the best of your garden foliage to create a fun, budget-friendly mini-project for a winter's day.
Poinsettias
These striking plants bring warmth and festivity to homes during Christmas. Known for their association with the holiday spirit, poinsettias showcase a stunning array of colors and are cherished as cherished ornamental additions, infusing joy and cheer into the festive ambiance.
Don't forget to look out for the Bord Bia Quality Mark when buying Poinsettias this Christmas!
Read more about poinsettias
Seasonal Styling: Catherine’s Christmas Foliage Guide
Content creator Catherine Carton (@daintydressdiaries), passionate about DIY, home décor, and gardening, has teamed up with Bord Bia this festive season to highlight the beauty of decorating with locally grown foliage this Christmas.
Catherine has designed three inspiring festive pieces using fresh, locally grown cut foliage. From wreaths to garlands to show-stopping centrepieces, discover how local foliage can transform your home this Christmas with natural colour, texture and that unmistakable Christmas scent.
Ireland’s mild climate and rich soil help produce high-quality, vibrant cut foliage that’s perfect for crafting timeless decorations while supporting skilled local growers.
This Christmas, keep an eye out for the Bord Bia Quality Mark when buying local foliage in your supermarket or ask your florist if their foliage is locally grown.
