Families across the town have spent the weekend engaged in the annual ritual of perfecting their arboreal masterpieces — arranging baubles with scientific precision and battling the tangle of decorative lights.

But if you are yet to purchase and put up your tree, never fear. Here are some of the outlets across Bolton selling real trees this winter:

Don't forget to send your Christmas tree pictures to webdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk with name and location 

1. Bolton Christmas Trees' superstore, at Spindle Point Farm, Kearsley, has the largest collection of cut trees in Bolton, open from December 1 to 23 from 8am to 8pm every day.

Sandra Arden, from Bolton Christmas Trees, said: "Bolton Christmas Trees is a family-run business employing four generations, and we have a 400 acre farm in Scotland where all our trees are sourced.

"We have been trading for over 30 years and we supply wholesale trees to garden centres throughout Britain, and large trees to many places including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Salford University, and many councils, churches and schools as far away as Newcastle upon Tyne."

2. Paul Haley Christmas Trees, Pines Farm, Bradshaw Road, open from 8am daily.

3. Heaton Fold Garden Centre, Overdale Drive, open until 4pm until December 21 (8pm on Thursdays), and delivery is available around Bolton for a small charge.

4. Curleys Christmas Trees, Wallsuches, off Chorley Old Road, Horwich, open from 8am- to 7.30pm seven days a week until Christmas Eve, with free delivery on orders over £35.

5. Wyevale Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Hunger Hill, open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.

6. Beech Hall Farm Garden Centre, Beech Hall Farm, Manchester Road, Westhoughton, open from 9am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

7. Treemendous Christmas Trees sells British-grown Christmas trees from outside the Tesco store, in Horwich. Opening times are 10am to 6pm (Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 4.30pm on a Sunday).

Facebook page: @treemendouschristmastrees

If you fancy something a little bit different, or are struggling with limited floor space this festive period why not join the latest seasonal craze of upside down Christmas trees?

Rumoured to be inspired by a medieval European tradition and meant to represent the Holy Trinity the topsy-turvy trees, available from Argos, are sure to add quirkiness your Christmas — that is if you can part with a hefty £189.99.

6 top tips for maintaining your real Christmas tree 

By David Mitchell, Wyevale Garden Centres’ real Christmas tree buyer

1. Choice 

There are some things you can do before you’ve even got your tree home. When choosing a tree make sure it has no browning needles and give it a stroke to see how many needles fall off. If you don’t like needle-dropping trees try the Nordmann Fir variety. Try to avoid trees pre-wrapped in netting, if they are pre-wrapped they tend to warm up sooner and therefore decompose at a quicker rate. At Wyevale Garden Centres we remove trees from netting and regularly mist them to ensure their quality.

2. Placement

 Where you place your tree will impact how long it lasts, though it may look great to have it next to your roaring open fire, heat from radiators and fires can dry your tree out and lead to premature needle trop. It’s best to place your tree next door a door or window.

3. Floor Cover

Placing a decorative floor protector underneath your real tree will collect any needles that drop and speed up your post-Christmas clean-up.

4. Preparation

Treat your real tree the same way you would fresh flowers and trim roughly half an inch from the bottom of your tree to increase water absorption. Use a handsaw to ensure the cut is straight and the tree stands completely upright.

5. Decoration

 Try to handle your tree as little as necessary when decorating and use LED fairy lights as they emit less heat and will keep your tree fresher for longer.

6. Tree Stand

It’s best to mount your tree in a specially designed hollow stand that allows you to water your tree. Alternatively, you could fill a bucket with stones and bury the trunk within it. Finish by filling the bucket with more stones and then topping up with water. Whichever method you choose, continue watering your tree throughout the festive period.

From tiny trees with just a splash of tinsel to huge 9ft ones adorned with ornaments galore, we want photographs.