Artificial trees relegated to the garden shed

18:12:20 18th December 2009

This Christmas leave the fake tree in the garden shed – opt for the real deal and do the environment a favour at the same time.

People are being encouraged to bring some life into their living room during the festive season, by choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree.

The Daily Mail suggests buying one with its roots attached, keeping it alive indoors over Christmas and then replanting it outside again in the New Year.

If sourcing a tree with roots proves difficult, the article suggests buying one with plenty of clear trunk direct from a grower - choosing it while it is still in the ground.

"When Christmas is over, take the tree to your local council recycling centre to be shredded and composted," writes The Daily Mail.

"In practice this is always an energy-efficient thing to do, even if it does take some human effort."

Those with enough space under the tree might wish to a new garden shed this festive season.

For the adventurous out there, an Anderson shelter, although hard to find, could be the answer, according to the Guardian, particularly for people into "retro wartime chic".