Cost of Christmas trees growing fast

From the archive, first published Thursday 7th Dec 2006.

For many, it is a tradition which heralds a start to the festive season.

But this year, the trip to choose a tree could cost families more than they have anticipated.

Demand for real Christmas trees is outstripping supply because more and more families are opting to buy Nordmann Fir trees at the expense of the Norway Spruce, the tree traditionally grown in Britain.

The Nordmann Fir, which is native to Denmark, has steadily grown in popularity over the last ten years, according to the British Christmas Tree Growers' Association - mainly because it doesn't drop its needles so rapidly.

One of the UK's leading suppliers is Denholme-based Yorkshire Christmas Trees. The company's Hilary Mayes says Nordmann Firs will cost between £4 and £5 a foot this year, about 50p more per foot than last year.

"The popularity of the tree has grown to such a degree that we are in a situation almost where demand is outstripping supply," she said.

"It takes about seven years for a Nordmann to be ready for sale. People are prepared to pay that bit extra because they know that if they buy one at the beginning of December, it will still be holding its needles by the New Year."

Yorkshire Christmas Trees, which has its plantation in Scotland, expects to sell about 50,000 trees this year.

As demand grows, the company has also seen a rise in sales of seedlings - about 100 per cent on last year.

Farmers and other people with land are planting trees to capitalise on the popularity of the Nordmann, she said.

Even on the Duke of Devonshire's estate at Bolton Abbey, where they have been growing the Norway Spruce for about ten years, the Nordmann is also on offer.

It is being bought in from suppliers and of the 800-1,000 trees sold between this weekend and December 17, the majority will be the Nordman, says visitor manager, Moira Smith.

She said: "We can't grow Nordmann Fir on the estate, the ground is not suitable.

"We have been growing Norway Spruce for about ten years and we try to make it a family occasion when people come to buy.

"People can go into the plantation and pick the tree they want, which we then cut for them. There is a nature trail telling the story and history of the Christmas tree.

"And there is also a chance for children to get involved in making Christmas cards and to write a letter to Father Christmas."

The Woodland Trust also wants people to consider planting a native holly in their garden. Andy Beer, of the Woodland Trust, said: "The perfect time for planting trees is from November to March, so planting a holly over the festive period is ideal."

The trust runs a tree shop at www.nativetreeshop.com.

e-mail:clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk