Christmas in London 2022: where to pick up a real Christmas Tree and where should it go afterwards?

Let’s all be honest with each other; sometimes, even the best planned Christmas can have a slight hiccup. Be it supermarkets running out of a particular sized turkey, that last minute Secret Santa present you forgot about or deciding and the very last minute that yes - I do want a real life Christmas tree.

From the mighty Norwegian spruce that many Londoners will pass by over the next few days at Trafalgar Square, to the more humble, smaller ferns dotting around various London boroughs celebrating Christmas, there is something very special about having a real Christmas tree at home over the festive season. Even if pine needles on the floor are one of the few hazards they present.

For those looking to ditch the fake plastic trees, some nurseries that are still in operation this close to Christmas are still offering those last minute pines for Londoners to pick up and haul away in the back of their car. Be it the sophisticated works of The Chelsea Gardener through to Battersea Flower Station, there is still time to pick up the Christmas tree even if Christmas is a mere few days away.

For those without a car, or are daunted by the prospect of a six-foot-and-above tree hanging out the boot of their car, thankfully the likes of The Christmas Forest, Creekside Christmas and Clickmas Trees all offer a home delivery service - with The Christmas Forest also offering next day delivery in London.

Londonworld has taken a look at the places in the capital where you can still get real, authentic Christmas trees and, equally as important, what to do with them once Christmas is done and dusted.

Where to get real Christmas trees in London in 2022?

The following locations are currently still selling real Christmas trees this close to Christmas Day in London as of writing. However, to ensure there is no disappointment, we’ve included links to the various retailers in the event stock becomes limited.

• Alexandra Palace Garden Centre - Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7BB
• Battersea Flower Station - 320 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 3BX
• Brockley Market - Lewisham College Carpark, Lewisham Way, Brockley SE4 1UT
• Camden Garden Centre - 2 Barker Drive, St Pancras Way, London, NW1 0JW
• The Chelsea Gardener - 125 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NR
• The Christmas Forest - n/a (online retailer)
• Clickmas Trees - n/a (online retailer)
• Clifton Nurseries - 5A Clifton Villas, London, W9 2PH
• Columbia Road Flower Market - Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
• Creekside Christmas - n/a (online retailer)

What to do with the tree after Christmas in London?

So you’ve managed to snag that last minute real Christmas tree, pine needles and all, but as the big day comes to a close, so comes the next question: what on earth am I meant to do with this tree now? Can it be binned? Do I burn it? How do I get it out of my life?

Thankfully, a number of London Boroughs will allow Christmas Trees to be dropped off at local recycling centres across the city. London Recycles have provided a comprehensive list of when, where and what times Londoners across all 33 boroughs can drop off their festive tree after the bank holidays.