How to rent a Christmas tree: Where to hire them and why it's good for the planet

A greener Christmas is guaranteed when you find out how to rent a Christmas tree. It's the eco-friendly trend that's becoming more popular each festive season.

Every year we buy a staggering seven million real Christmas trees in the UK, but when we take our trees down most of these go to waste. This has a substantial impact on the environment and is a waste of resources too, especially when you consider the damage done from cutting down and transporting new trees every year. Thankfully, several clever Christmas tree farms offer trees to rent, meaning you don't have to say goodbye to the Christmas tree tradition for the sake of the planet. 

Chris Shorey, Elf-in-Chief at goodelf.co.uk, explains, "The last couple of years interest has really increased in renting a live tree, as customers are much more sensitive to the impact they, personally, are having on the environment. But from an environmental impact position, there is a tipping point where it becomes better to have a cut tree, so we only offer rented trees up to 5ft high - as you can imagine transporting a full-grown 6ft tree is a big undertaking."

We've explained the whole hire process and shared where you can rent your tree across the country. Because as the new mantra goes 'A tree is not just for Christmas'...

How to rent a Christmas tree:

1. Find a local supplier that is offering the service. Check out our list of where to rent a Christmas tree below.
2. Pay for your tree (price varies by size) plus the additional deposit for the tree. This will be refunded when the tree is returned (so long as its healthy and has been well looked after).
3. Collect your tree in person at the farm or have it delivered. Delivery is likely to incur a small extra fee for the trouble.
4. Decorate your tree with some Christmas baubles and enjoy it during the festive period - taking care to water and look after it throughout.
5. Return the tree or organise for its collection and receive the deposit back if all goes well.
6. The company will then re-plant the tree and leave it to grow until the next Christmas, when it may be available to rent again.

Some suppliers will allow you to re-rent the same tree, and these 'trees for life' are often given a name by the families that rent them. The idea is that not only is this method greener, but the tree will also grow with the family each year. Cute, right?

How much does it cost to rent a Christmas tree?

Prices start from around £30 when renting a 3ft Christmas tree, though be aware that this often does not include the refundable deposit and charge to deliver and collect the tree.

Prices vary between suppliers and taller trees will also cost more to rent. So, if you're looking to hire a 6ft tree or taller it could set you back between £80-120.

But if you're keen to save a few pennies, it's worth bearing in mind that you can save yourself the delivery fee if you pick your Christmas tree rental up in person.

What are the benefits of renting a Christmas tree?

• Recycling: you are essentially re-using the tree each year, which is much greener than purchasing and disposing of a new one each December.
• Zero waste: As you're returning the tree to the supplier, there'll be no tree waste to dispose of. And this is a huge plus as it costs an estimated £14 million to send faded firs and sad spruces to landfill.
• Better carbon footprint: According to the Carbon Trust, a 2m-tall cut Christmas tree that ends up in landfill has a 16kg carbon footprint – that’s around the same as taking three return flights from London to Australia.
• Less greenhouse gases: Discarded Christmas trees release harmful greenhouse gases into the environment when they are left to rot.
• Less Carbon Dioxide: When the tree is replanted, it will help to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
• Supports eco-systems: The tree will also provide a home for various wildlife between Christmases.
• Supports local businesses: Christmas tree rentals are often organised by small farms and businesses that are passionate about promoting a greener Christmas for the planet.
• Less hassle: Suppliers will deliver and collect your tree, meaning you don't have to go out of your way to get your hands on a real Christmas tree.

Where to rent a Christmas tree:

1. Good Elf, UK-wide

Elf-in-Chief Chris explains, "We pot grow at the nursery from seedlings, then we send them out on their first Christmas excursion when they are just 2ft tall. As long as the tree has been loved whilst it's in the home we can take them back to the farm and prepare them for next year and the trees are looked after in their pots, watered and pruned throughout the year to keep them looking their best.  

"They will continue to grow about six inches a year for about six years, then they stop and then need to be planted in your garden.  We'd prefer them to stay happily with the families that have enjoyed them if they can!"

Prices start at £44.99 for a traditional Christmas tree - order now, select the date you’d like your tree and let the Elves take the hassle out of Christmas!

Find out more about Good Elf and rent your tree here.

2. Love a Christmas tree, Leicester

Companies like Leicester-based Love a Christmas Tree are renting out Nordmann firs this December. Prices start at £25 for trees a little under 3ft, and go up to a 7ft for £70. Orders will be delivered within the first few days of December, unless requested later, and they plan on picking your tree back up again via their collection service between 7-10 January 2022.

Find out more about Love a Christmas Tree and rent your tree here.

3. Christmas on the Hill, North London

Christmas on the Hill has returned for 2023, and customers can either choose home delivery or select their own tree at London's Alexandra Palace where they're situated this year. You can pick up a 2ft tree for £30, and sizes and prices go all the way up to a huge 7ft tree for £80. 

A deposit will be added on top of your order, which will be refunded upon the safe return of the tree. Plus, a home delivery and collection charge additional - though you can pick it up for free. 

Christmas on the Hill has earned extra eco-friendly points too for their bio-degradable netting which can be disposed of in your food compost bin once you've released your tree. Win-Win.

Find out more about Christmas on the Hill and rent your tree here.

4. London Christmas tree rental, London

London Christmas Trees offers Norway spruce, specially suited to being pot grown, and with a proper Christmassy pine smell. The rental service asks for a £30 deposit which you get back when the tree is returned in good condition. Choose from a 3ft Mr Kensington (yes, the trees have names), a 4ft Miss Fulham, a 5ft Mr Westminster or 6ft Mr Islington. Pop-up stores are located in West Norwood, SE27, Barnes, SW13, Kilburn, NW6, Wimbledon, SW19 and Honor Oak, SE23.

Find out more about London Christmas Trees and rent your tree here.

5. Cotswold Fir, Gloucester

If you’re in the south-west, check out Cotswold Fir in Gloucester. Its ‘Rental Claus’ service delivers or lets you pick up your tree anytime after 7 December, as the trees (Norway spruces) need to stay outside for as long as possible. Prices start from £45 for a 3ft, plus a deposit of £15 – which is refunded when you return your tree in good condition. Alternatively, leave your deposit and get the same tree next year – but remember it will have grown a bit bigger!

Find out more about Rental Claus and rent your tree here.

6. Rental Christmas Trees, Stroud

You can bag yourself a premium rental tree at this Gloucester-based farm. The shop only sells one potted tree for rent, a potted Norway Spruce, which you'll need to water every day. The trees at Rental Christmas Trees range in size from 3ft to 7ft. And with the price of each tree (they start from £45), there's also a £15 deposit which is returned to you once you give the tree back, when Christmas is over.

Find out more about Rental Christmas Trees and rent your tree here.

How to care for your rented Christmas tree:

• Water: Just like us humans, these trees need water to live. According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, they should be watered daily. Aim for about a litre a day to keep the soil moist and avoid over-watering them.
• Temperature: Being too hot or too cold can seriously affect the tree, and it's a big Christmas tree no-no to place it near an open fire or radiator, as this will dry the tree out. Supplier Love a Christmas Tree also recommend storing your tree in a shed or garage for a day or two before bringing it into the house and similarly when you want to leave it outside ready for collection again. This is an intermediate step that will help the tree adjust to the change in temperature.
• Space: Give your tree room to breathe and make sure you choose one that fits the height and size of the area you want to keep it in. Most trees will come with measurements, so be sure to measure ahead before purchasing our rental.
• Don't trim it: Love a Christmas Tree also advocate against cutting or trimming your tree. This is because it increases the chance of infection, which could then contaminate the forest where it is returned to grow again until next year.

If you think you'll be away for a long period over Christmas then a rental is probably not for you. Companies often advise against this, as you won't be able to give the tree the care and attention it needs. 

If you're getting ready for Christmas 2023, check out our round-up of the top Christmas toys to buy the kids in your life this year. You might also be interested to know when Tesco releases its Christmas delivery slots.