The owner of a Dublin garden centre has given some great advice for people when buying their Christmas tree, and there are two particular types of tree you need to look out for.
We went to Jesson Garden Centre in Donaghmede to have a look at the trees on offer this festive season. James Jesson explained to Dublin Live what you need to look for when buying your Christmas tree and the best ways to keep it healthy for the whole of December.
James revealed that a fierce rivalry exists between the two main types of Christmas trees on offer in his garden centre: the Noble fir and the Nordmann fir. While the Nordmann fir is usually deemed as the prettier option, the Noble fir is his recommendation as it is a considerably stronger tree and tends to last longer than its counterpart - and it smells better too.
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He told Dublin Live: “The Noble fir is typically harder to grow because it has to be fertilised. A lot of sellers don’t do them so we get customers coming back to us every year for them.”
The Noble fir is also extremely popular thanks to its nostalgic Christmas scent. The tree has several seed pods, which release a delightful pine cone smell when opened up.
The branches of the Nobles fir are very firm, meaning they are much better at holding heavy decorations. However, James admits that there are still many Nordmann fans out there due to the tree's pleasing aesthetic, including his own wife.
Regardless of the tree type, James recommends that people follow certain advice, such as keeping a water supply underneath your tree, for maximum longevity. Shutting off the heating is the best way to ensure a tree has a longer shelf live, he claims.
He told Dublin Live: “When you cut a tree, it’s dead. If you don’t put a water stand underneath it, you’re in trouble, especially if you bought the tree all the way back in November.”
He added: “But it all depends on the heat of the house. Turn off your radiators if you can, it will definitely help the tree last longer.”
Jesson’s Garden Centre also sells an impressive array of wreaths, ornaments and Christmas lights alongside its range of trees. The majority of stock is crafted in Ireland, with many of the wreaths being made to order from the store.
James also sells a range of niche Christmas lanterns, which retail at €50. He attributes the growing obsession people have with Christmas decor to the removal of pandemic restrictions, as many people were not previously in the celebrating mood.
He added: “It’s gone Americanised. Someone came in and bought a tree and ornaments, their bill came to €370. People haven’t had a good Christmas in the past few years so they’re going for it in a big way.”
Jesson Garden Centre is open every day until Christmas Eve, seven days a week. It is located on the Hole in the Wall Road in Dublin 13 and opening hours range from 9-7pm.
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