Which Christmas tree is for me

It's that time of year when folks are detangling their fairy lights, getting their Christmas trees down from the loft - or perhaps considering purchasing a live tree.

Did you know - in the UK, 8 million trees are cut down each year for the festive season - with an estimated 160 000 tonnes sent to waste once festivities are over. And around 14 % of artificial trees are used for one year and then discarded.

But with a bit of forethought we can all help reduce this level of waste.

Remember, if you're thinking of purchasing a live tree (cut or potted) you'll need to also consider what you will do with it when festivities are over.

There's no 'Christmas tree collection service' run by the Council (not for a few years now) - so that might help you balance your options and decide the type and size of tree to go for this season.

Here's information for once the tinsel comes down:

Cut and live trees can be taken to our green waste skips (please take care to remove all decorations and tinsel scraps) - at our Hatston, Garson, Bossack, Cursiter and St Margarets Hope household waste and/or recycling facilities.

In a few months, your tree it will be transformed into soil improver, free for residents to collect from Bossack (and Hatston and Garson as and when we can manage to drop some past).

And of course if space allows you can compost at home.

Alternatively, keep an eye on facebook groups in your area for folks with livestock who might be looking for cut trees for their animals to nibble on.

Potted trees will most likely require special compost and fertiliser, and yearly repotting or planting out, for a long and happy life and will need consistent watering if kept indoors.

Artificial trees can go back into the loft - or put aside for charity (remember local charities will have limited storage, so it's best to store your tree again yourself until closer to Christmas).

Have a happy festive period folks - may your lights be tangle free!