Guide to Buying and Caring for a Live Christmas Tree in Singapore

Who says your only choice of a Christmas tree in Singapore has to be a coconut tree?

Don’t let our tropical weather fool you–you absolutely can get yourself a beautiful, lush fir tree for Christmas here in Singapore.

After all, there’s something quite special about a live Christmas tree that adds that Christmas cheer to your home in ways unlike any other, even seemingly bringing the ambient tropical temperature down a few degrees to make it feel like winter’s truly arrived.

Maybe it’s the spicy, woodsy scent of the fir tree that is oh-so-reminiscent of Christmas, or maybe it’s the heart-warming sight of a lit-up tree with sparkly, blinking lights that makes your home feel cosier than ever.

(Sitting curled up at the foot of your tree with a hot cup of Milo while watching Netflix is legit one of the most Christmas-y things you can do in Singapore!)

This is your sign to get yourself a live tree this year.

And if you’re worried about how you will keep your live tree happy here, we totally got you.

Here’s a complete guide to purchasing and caring for your very own live Christmas tree here in Singapore.

About live Christmas trees in Singapore

Christmas as a celebration has come a long way in Singapore.

As a predominantly Asian country, Christmas was not a huge thing for Singapore before the 1970s, and only started to gain traction in the 1980s with modernisation and as more people from different cultures started to call Singapore home.

One of the earliest reported displays of a live tree in Singapore was in 1966, when a live Christmas tree was flown from Singapore as part of a Christmas party for underprivileged children organised by the Hans Andersen’s Club. The live tree was often one of the biggest highlights of Christmas celebrations back then, as they were brought over to Singapore in very limited quantities.

Today, live trees may not be the star attraction at many Christmas celebrations going on all around Singapore. In fact, you may have seen articles about Singapore’s famous Christmas Orchard Road light up before arriving, and truly it is a sight to behold.

The ante is upped every year, with the annual Christmas light up becoming a signature event for Singapore’s shopping district, complete with carefully coordinated twinkly lights and decorations, festival games and food, and live shows.

Its latest iteration boasts nightly snow shows, a firefly garden, and even a bar-hopping experience, all set within the dynamic two-mile stretch of Orchard Road from Tanglin to Dhoby Gaut which will also house a Christmas village.

For Singapore residents, setting up their Christmas trees at home is also a hugely anticipated thing–and more and more people are opting for live trees to up the Christmas atmosphere in their homes.

Every year, the sale of live trees is brisk and many nurseries often sell out by early December.

What tree should I get?

If you’re unsure about what variety of tree you should get for your home, read on below.

• Noble Fir: Symmetrical shape, fresh and woodsy scent, strong and sturdy branches, blue-grey needles. Best for homes with wide, open spaces.
• Nordmann Fir: Slim and sleek, very mild fragrance, soft shiny dark green needles that don’t shed easily. Best for people who want a mess-free and scent-free tree.
• Fraser Fir: Narrow conical shape, citrusy and pine scent, upturned needles with silver undersides. Best for smaller homes.
• Hybrid Fir: Dense and full shape, sweet and resinuous fragrance, strong branches, soft blue green needles that don’t shed easily. Best for homes with wide, open spaces; and families who love the strong woodsy fragrance of the tree.

Where you can purchase your live Christmas tree in Singapore

Most garden centres and nurseries that sell Christmas trees offer early bird discounts for trees ordered earlier.

Here are some options:

• Candy Floriculture
  Address: 567 Thomson Road, Singapore 298183
  Website: www.candy.com.sg
  Trees available: Noble Fir, Nordmann Fir
• Noah Garden Centre
  Only available online
  Website: www.noahgardencentre.com.sg
  Trees available: Noble Fir

Care tips for your live Christmas tree

• Refill the tree stand daily with cool and clean water.
• Place the tree away from direct sunlight and heat sources like fireplaces, candles, and the kitchen.
• Mist daily with cool water.
• Remove debris from the water daily.
• Avoid overloading the branches with decor to avoid breakages.

And that urban legend about crushing up aspirin to dissolve in the water of the tree to prevent bacteria from growing and to keep it fresh longer? It’s probably not going to help, so don’t.

Disposal tips for your tree after Christmas

Almost all garden centres and nurseries offer a disposal service of your live Christmas tree after Christmas, for an additional fee.

If you’d prefer to do it yourself, check with your condo management or respective town council for bulk refuse collection days and policies.

Christmas is one of Singapore’s most celebrated public holidays every year, with malls decked out in festive decor and Christmas music ringing at public spaces by the end of November.