Oh, Christmas trees, how lovely are your branches and are you going to cost the Earth? Our writer demystifies buying the perfect tree, whether real, potted, rental or artificial

• The best Christmas baubles and decorations: 28 trinkets to deck the halls

Few things signal the beginning of Christmas like a beautifully dressed tree. But as more of us try to make sustainable choices, the idea of discarding a real tree come January can feel wasteful. The alternative – artificial trees – presents both a solution and a problem.

Each type of tree – real, potted, rented or fake – has its benefits and drawbacks, while the right fit for each household will come down to various factors, including space, cost, care and lifestyle. As the Carbon Trust puts it: “The most sustainable choice will depend on the tree, your plans for reuse, then options for disposal.”