Up to five million people in Britain will choose a real Christmas tree this year, the majority opting for a cut tree that will be dispensed with after 12th Night.

But there is no reason why this year's tree shouldn't go on to serve your family next year too, if you buy a living tree with roots. Although cut trees are grown specifically for the purpose from seed and would not make good forest trees, there is something pleasing about planting your tree back outside after the festivities.

If you want a tree with roots, you should be able to choose from the following:

Root-balled trees: These are trees that are dug up with their root system intact which gives them a good chance of survival when planted out. The roots must be potted in moist earth and kept damp.

Trees with bare roots: These are usually smaller trees and only the larger roots are left on the plant. Before you pot the tree, soak the roots to give them a good drink and then plant in moist earth. Keep the container moist and keep the tree away from any sort of heat.

Potted trees: These are trees that have been dug up and potted by the grower or garden centre. They can be planted out but their chances or survival are not as good as root-balled trees. Make sure they are fresh.

Container-grown trees: These trees have been grown in pots from day one and rarely reach more than 3ft tall. They can be left in pots, or potted on which improves their chances of survival. They can be planted out although they may only last for one season.

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association recommend buying your tree direct from the grower. Your local supplier will be listed in Yellow Pages. Some growers will let you choose the particular tree you want and actually dig it out in front of you.

When you are ready to plant your tree out, don't do it on very cold days when the ground is frozen.

Dig a hole big enough for the bare roots or slightly larger than the root ball. Firm the soil around the tree to keep it safe from wind rock, and water in well to settle the soil around the roots. If you opt for a cut tree, then go for one with a Union Flag (Union Jack) symbol which indicates it is one grown by the BCTGA.

The first rule of buying any tree is to make sure it is fresh and British trees are usually fresher than imported trees. Give the tree a good shake to make sure the needles are not already dropping. Firs and pines tend to hold their needles better than spruce.

The Noble and Nordmann Fir and the Scots Pine have the best needle retention of all. Your tree will drink up to a pint of water a day and to help it take up enough water, cut a further 2.5cm (1in) off the butt before positioning it. Stand the cut stump in water, either in a purpose-made stand or in a bucket, secured with bricks or pebbles. Don't use soil or sand or it is likely to clog the stem.

Traditionally trees were not brought into the house until Christmas eve but now many people have them indoors for a month and complain about needle drop.

Living trees will not tolerate several weeks in a centrally heated house so leave your tree outside for as long as possible.

Before you carry it in, shake it again to remove any loose needles and wash off any mud on the lower branches. The tree will last longest if left somewhere cool like a hallway or porch - you can always bring it into the warmest rooms for the height of the festivities.

And after the last cracker has been pulled, don't forget to take your cut tree to a nursery or garden centre that will recycle them into mulch.

Here's a quick guide to the most popular cut trees.

l Norway spruce - traditional British tree with branches that sweep up and short, soft bright green needles. If the tree is fresh and kept in water, it should keep its needles well.

l Nordmann (Caucasian) Fir - full bushy appearance. Needles are straighter, point forward and grow around the branches. Keeps its needles well.

l Noble fir - regular tiered branches with blue-grey needles. The best tree of all for needle retention.

l Lodgepole pine - like the Scots pine but darker green and with straighter needles. Good shape and retains needles well.

l Douglas fir - attractive and aromatic conifer. Fine, thin, short, straight needles.

that grow around the branch. Keeps its needles quite well.

* Serbian spruce - like the Norway spruce. Attractive with short, stiff needles that are green on top and grey below giving it a frosty appearance.

* Blue spruce - natural Christmas tree shape with short, sharp, pale dusty blue needles which hold fairly well. Not one for houses with small children or pets.

* White fir - sometimes known as the Concolor and has soft pale bluey green needles.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.