The UK’s Christmas tree farm offers advice (Image: Getty)
As many families across the UK mark the start of festivities by putting up a Christmas tree, one of the country’s largest tree farms has revealed some top tips on choosing and caring for the perfect one – from the best type of tree to last across the frosty weather in December, to the ideal spot to place it at home, and a common mistake you should avoid.
Yattendon Estate has been growing Christmas trees across 300 acres of stunning countryside land in West Berkshire since the 1960s. With just under a million trees in the ground, the family-owned business sells up to 100,000 trees a year from their farm as well as supplying to major chains like Lidl, Tesco and garden centres across the UK.
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James Hole, managing director of Yattendon Estate, said: “I would recommend buying early, ideally now, because then you get your pick of the best. But, don’t put it up until the first week of December, as three weeks is the most a real Christmas tree will survive, and you want to be able to enjoy it on the big day.
“Definitely don’t put your Christmas tree near a radiator or any heat source. A cold spot inside your house is the best place to put it, as the warmth causes them to dry out and lose needles early, but I understand the coldest part of the house might not be the best place to enjoy and appreciate the tree.”
He advised cutting the base of the tree again before putting it up, as a fresh cut means it’s easier for the trunk to absorb water.
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“If you’re buying early and planning to wait until mid-December to put it up, store the Christmas tree in water for two to three weeks. Whenever you do eventually put it up, use a stand with water and submerge the trunk, making sure to top it up once a week,” James explained.
“For a tree which will last across December, you want a thicker tree like a Nordmann Fir. It’s amazing at needle retention, so that’s the variety you should go for.
« Many customers prefer the traditional and more authentic Nordmann Spruce. But, while beautiful, this type of tree loses needles easily and shouldn’t be put up more than a week before Christmas.”
A crew of 30 farmers work throughout the year to grow and care for the trees. Birds can be a constant threat to their growth, so the crew install bird sticks to stop them from landing on the fragile leader at the top of the tree. This ensures customers have a place to display their chosen star or angel ornament.
Putting up the tree marks the start of festivities (Image: Getty)
Six to seven-foot trees tend to be the most popular option for families. James recalled: “You do see people turning up, choosing their tree and then thinking ‘errr.. how are we going to get this home?’ Some families will bring two cars, one for the family and another for the tree. We’ve had it a few times where customers forget to tie their tree to the top of the car and drive off, forgetting it’s there. It tends to roll off quite quickly, and the driver jumps out to get it.”
Once it’s safely home, decorating the tree is often a way many families mark the beginning of the festivities in their own homes. “Personally, I like a warm white approach with decorations. Others may go for more jazzy lights. Everyone has their own interpretation, some say less is more while others decorate from head to toe, it’s all part of the fun,” James said.
While Christmas tree picking has become an annual tradition that many families look forward to, it can easily descend into a competition to find the best one.
James explained: « Absolutely, people get competitive. I’ve seen many heated discussions when families want the same tree. This tends to happen towards the end of the season, in the days leading up to Christmas, when options are limited. Families debate with other families about who spotted the tree first. Luckily, most people find a way to solve it and we’ve never had to intervene.
“I’ve even seen it in the same family, or among siblings where they argue and say the tree they’ve chosen is better than what another family member has picked out. There’s usually a lot of parental diplomacy involved.”
As Christmas trees take seven to 10 years to grow, the trees that families are picking out now would have started growing back between 2015 and 2018. Farmers working on the estate now are already planting and harvesting trees across the impressive 300 acres for customers to choose in another seven years or decades time.
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