As Christmas trees arrive in garden centres, expert David Mitchell offers advice to those who only have a small space for a real tree.

1. How tall should you go?

You have to remember that the stand is going to add perhaps another six inches to the overall height of the tree, and quite often you will find that you are having to cut the top off, or something that compromises the shape of the tree. So measure the tree and make allowances for the stand.

2. How wide can it really be?

Some trees are naturally very wide. The Nordmann, by its very nature, is a wide variety with a wide skirt around the base.

3. What style of tree do you want?

If your space is very restricted and you want an extremely slim tree, there is a Swedish style Nordmann, which costs slightly less than a traditional Nordmann - but there won’t be as many of them and they sell out first.

Alternatively, the Fraser fir has a much more narrow profile. It has a more columnal figure and upright habit, with branches sweeping upwards rather than downwards.

4. What sort of scent are you after?

For many people, the fragrances of the festive season are part of the appeal, so think about whether you want your tree to be scented.

You also have to consider whether you want something highly scented, which might steer you towards a Fraser fir. You can get artificial scents to put in the tree, but there’s nothing like the real thing.

5. Avoid clipping catastrophes

"If you cut any given branch half way down its length fairly unceremoniously, then it’s going to look as if it’s been cut off.

If you cut it in between the nodes, taking off individual ’fingers’ of the tree, or find a natural break, that’s always going to look better than if you cut it half way down. Don’t just take shears to it and cut it off. Look for a natural join. There’s no risk of damaging the tree but because it’s such a centrepiece, it’s worth spending a bit of time on it and pruning with a bit of finesse.

If the only spot for your tree is by a radiator, you have to accept that it’s going to dry out. This means it will need more water, if it’s in a trough, and you’re likely to see some areas going brown and a fair bit of needle-drop.

6. Consider some alternatives

If you simply don’t have room for a proper tree, there are other alternatives, such as long dogwood-style twigs or other branches which you could put in a vase and decorate with baubles to give the room a festive air.

Many garden centres also sell artificial thin trees which are almost like a standard, just with branches on the upper third of the tree.