Are all real Christmas trees already cut?
Discussion
Christmas Trees are generally grown in the UK and cut a few days before sale. Depends where you’re buying it from, a local farm type operation usually has fields full of trees at different growth stages.
DIY centres, etc. buy from growers wherever it’s cheapest to buy them, probably cheaper in some cases to import from where land (to grow) and labour (to plant and cut them) is cheap.
DIY centres, etc. buy from growers wherever it’s cheapest to buy them, probably cheaper in some cases to import from where land (to grow) and labour (to plant and cut them) is cheap.
Spent some time working on Christmas tree farms approx 5 years ago, and have quite a few mates in the industry. Generally they are cut just a couple of days before being sold, otherwise they start to wilt or go bad before Christmas. At this time of year it's long hours in the dark, clearing access routes through as it all gets rather overgrown.
A lot of work that goes into marking up the good and bad trees. It's the constant sound of chainsaws at this time of year. Getting vehicles in for access is also tricky with the soft ground. Just this weekend I know of at least one Massey Ferguson and a Defender that have got stuck.
Something most people don't realise is the amount of wastage and trees that are not up to standard. For every 10 trees that get sold, at least 5 further trees don't make the grade and are cut out / used for logs or wood chip in the process.
The bigger trees for corporate purposes (santa's grotto, workplaces etc) are usually the ones being cut at this time, although I'm hearing less are being cut this year due to a drop in demand (Covid...).
From the second half of next week, the more standard 6ft trees will start to be cut like crazy, but by now, most should be ready for cutting. If experience is anything to go by, it's all usually a bit last minute, and tricky to find the people that want to do that sort of work.
A lot of work that goes into marking up the good and bad trees. It's the constant sound of chainsaws at this time of year. Getting vehicles in for access is also tricky with the soft ground. Just this weekend I know of at least one Massey Ferguson and a Defender that have got stuck.
Something most people don't realise is the amount of wastage and trees that are not up to standard. For every 10 trees that get sold, at least 5 further trees don't make the grade and are cut out / used for logs or wood chip in the process.
The bigger trees for corporate purposes (santa's grotto, workplaces etc) are usually the ones being cut at this time, although I'm hearing less are being cut this year due to a drop in demand (Covid...).
From the second half of next week, the more standard 6ft trees will start to be cut like crazy, but by now, most should be ready for cutting. If experience is anything to go by, it's all usually a bit last minute, and tricky to find the people that want to do that sort of work.
As above, find a Christmas tree farm and get a fresh one if you can.
We visit Duff Trees just outside Aberfoyle every year, and have done so for as long as I can remember (although unlikely this year).
Given a large saw, a pair of gloves and a little offcut of carpet to kneel on then go find your own. Carry it back (or they'll send a quad and trailer for larger trees) and they'll wrap it in netting and it goes on the roof rack. The tree usually stays fresh and green for 4 weeks.
It has become hugely popular in the last few years, their car park is now about 3 times the size it used to be.
We visit Duff Trees just outside Aberfoyle every year, and have done so for as long as I can remember (although unlikely this year).
Given a large saw, a pair of gloves and a little offcut of carpet to kneel on then go find your own. Carry it back (or they'll send a quad and trailer for larger trees) and they'll wrap it in netting and it goes on the roof rack. The tree usually stays fresh and green for 4 weeks.
It has become hugely popular in the last few years, their car park is now about 3 times the size it used to be.
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