Christmas trees

Find the perfect Christmas tree

From a 2ft desk tree to a 10ft hallway giant. Use our size guide to choose a tree that fits your ceiling, your corner and your style, then browse the collections.

6ft

Christmas tree size guide

The most common Christmas tree mistake is buying a tree that is too tall. The stand lifts the tree by several centimetres, and a star or angel on top adds another 15–30cm. Measure from floor to ceiling where the tree will stand, then use the chart below.

Room height vs Christmas tree height
Ceiling heightImperialTree that fits (with stand & topper)
Under 2.1munder 6ft 11inTabletop tree, or a 4ft–5ft treeShop 2ft–4ft
2.1m – 2.3m6ft 11in – 7ft 6in5ft – 6ft treeShop 5ft
2.3m – 2.45m7ft 6in – 8ft6ft tree (the typical modern UK home)Shop 6ft
2.45m – 2.7m8ft – 8ft 10in6.5ft – 7ft treeShop 7ft
2.7m – 3m8ft 10in – 9ft 10in7.5ft – 8ft tree (many period homes)Shop 8ft+
Over 3mover 9ft 10in9ft – 10ft+ treeShop 8ft+

Rule of thumb: tree height = ceiling height minus 25–30cm, to leave room for the stand (which lifts the tree a few centimetres) and your topper. Always check the stated height of the exact tree you buy.

Don’t forget the width

A “6ft tree” can be anything from 45cm to well over a metre wide at the base. If your tree is going into a corner, next to a sofa or in a hallway, the width matters as much as the height.

Typical tree widths (base diameter)
Tree heightPencilSlimStandard / full
4ft (120cm)30–40cm45–60cm70–90cm
5ft (150cm)35–45cm55–75cm85–110cm
6ft (180cm)40–55cm60–85cm100–130cm
7ft (210cm)45–60cm70–95cm115–150cm
8ft (240cm)50–65cm80–105cm130–170cm

Typical ranges only: widths vary a lot between makers, so check the listing. Leave around 30cm clear around the tree and keep it well away from fires, heaters and doorways.

How to measure your space (in 3 minutes)

  1. Ceiling height: measure from the floor to the ceiling exactly where the tree will go. Watch out for sloping ceilings, beams and light fittings.
  2. Floor space: measure the width available, then subtract around 30cm so people can walk past without brushing the branches.
  3. Hazards: keep the tree clear of fires, wood burners, radiators and heaters, and away from doors that swing into the room.
  4. Sockets: for a pre-lit tree, check there is a socket nearby so cables do not trail across walkways.

How to choose a Christmas tree

Real-look PE vs PVC

PVC tips are flat, papery needles: affordable and full. PE (polyethylene) tips are moulded from real branches and look far more natural. Many trees mix both: PE on the outside, PVC filling the inside. More PE usually means a more realistic tree. See real-look trees.

Pre-lit or unlit?

Pre-lit trees save a lot of time and the lights are spread evenly. Unlit trees give you total control and you can replace lights easily. If you choose pre-lit, look for a timer, foot switch or remote, and LEDs (cooler and cheaper to run).

Tip count

The number of “tips” (branch ends) is a rough guide to fullness. Compare tip counts between trees of the same height and width, not across different sizes.

Hinged or hook-on branches?

Hinged branches fold down when you lift each section into place: much quicker to set up. Hook-on branches take longer but often pack into a smaller box.

The stand

A folding metal stand is much sturdier than plastic, which matters with pets, children and taller trees. Some stands have rubber feet to protect wooden floors.

Flocked, slim, pop-up or outdoor?

Flocked trees have a snowy finish. Slim and pencil trees save floor space. Pop-up trees arrive decorated. Outdoor trees must be weather-resistant, with outdoor-rated lights.

Real or artificial? A good artificial tree used for many Christmases avoids buying a new tree every year, needs no watering and drops no needles. A real tree smells wonderful and can be recycled through most councils’ collection schemes. Either way, love it for as many Christmases as you can.

All Christmas tree collections

About prices: we never guess prices. Where a price is shown, it was checked at the date and time indicated and is shown for no more than 24 hours. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of the product. Otherwise, use “Check price” to see the current price at the shop.