Christmas Trees

There are approximately 60 million trees grown as 'Christmas trees' in the UK at any one time with around 7-10 million trees being sold each Christmas. Christmas is big business with the American public alone spending more than £1.5Bn on trees alone (1998 figures).

Trees are between 8 and 12 years old (depending on the species) when they are cut to be sold at the height of approximately 2m (6ft). Seed is taken from cones which are harvested from older trees then grown as seedlings for 2-4 years then sold on to tree farms where they are planted and grown until cut for sale to the public. These farms if well managed can have 90% of their land occupied by trees which if cut in cycles can supply the manager of the land with a regular income each year. For every Christmas tree harvested, three seedlings are planted in its place.

 

Use the links in the right hand column to help choose and look after your tree over the festive season.

Click here for a few tree safety reminders to keep in mind. It is a sobering thought that at Christmas you are 50% more likely to die in an accidental house fire than at any other time of the year...

For information on looking after the Christmas house plants: Poinsettia and Amaryllis click the plant name you require.

Christmas trees (Home)
Tree buyers guide