Where to get a real Christmas tree in Canberra, and why Sandra can't live without one

But if you're undecided on whether to treat yourself and your family to a real pine tree for Christmas this year, you might want to consider the cost.

The cheapest option is to head to one of the local Christmas tree farms where you get to choose your own tree from the forest for about $50. You'll need a trailer to collect it, and someone who doesn't mind being stabbed by sharp, dry pine needles when it needs to be lugged out the back for chainsawing and disposal.

While the ACT Scouts used to make buying a fresh Christmas tree in Canberra super convenient, this is unfortunately the first year "in many" that they've stopped selling them.

However, you can still get the feel good factor by buying a tree from RSPCA, on Kirkpatrick Street in Weston, where your money will go to caring for the abused, neglected and unwanted animals spending the holidays in RSPCA care.

If you're ducking to Bunnings Fyshwick for a sausage sanga this weekend you can head to the nursery section and grab a pine tree in a pot for about $60.

The Belconnen and Tuggeranong Bunnings stores will have trees lined up out the front this weekend, cut fresh from Bingley's farm near Sutton.

If you prefer your December as stress-free as possible, the Christmas Tree Truck is probably your best bet. But it'll cost you. The boys from the Christmas Tree Truck will deliver a fresh tree to your door and then come back and remove it in early January.

The website has options galore, including preferences for a five-, six- or seven-foot tree, the water capacity of the stand and 200, 300 or 500 fairy lights.

A tree from The Christmas Tree Truck will cost you anywhere between $125 and $380.

But the most expensive option for a real tree is making the mistake of thinking you can duck into a local forest with a small axe and cut down your own. Get caught doing that and you could be up for a $7500 fine from the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate.

According to Daniel Iglesias, Director of ACT Parks and Conservation, pine tree theft is not a problem in the ACT.

"We are not experiencing issues with people attempting to steal trees," Mr Iglesias said.

"There are several commercial operations in place where people can buy trees which are grown specifically for the Christmas tree market.

"In order to help detect and deter illegal activity in our forests we also have patrols and security cameras in place."

For Aranda mum Sandra Feletti, a real tree is a non-negotiable at Christmas time.

In an annual family event that's almost like a scene from your favourite Christmas movie, Sandra and her family head out to Santa's Shaped Christmas Tree Farm at Sutton and make an adventure out of choosing their own tree.

"We all pile into the car together as a family and go and choose the tree - it's tradition," Sandra said.

"It's just not Christmas without two things - your family and a real tree."

Sandra doesn't mind the extra effort of having a real tree, despite only spending about 11 days in total with it before heading off to see family in both Sydney and Melbourne for Christmas.

It's partner David Reed's job to load up the trailer to pick up the tree and later cut it up with a chainsaw to remove it in late January.

Sandra has her hands full trying to keep their 14-month-old baby Marco away from the tree. Sandra, David and 12-year-old daughter Isabel had to wait until Marco was in bed this year to decorate.

"We give him a dustpan and brush and let him clean up the pine needles," she laughed.

Sandra, an event marketer for Westpac, grew up in Sydney's Kingsgrove as part of a big Italian family who would always buy a Christmas tree from the local grocery store in December. She's hoping to pass the "nostalgia" of a real tree on to her children.

"I don't like the plastic trees, I just never have," she said.

"And you catch glimpses of that Christmas smell throughout the year. Like we'll go to the arboretum and pick up the pine cones, and they smell gorgeous."