About our trees

Nordman Fir (Abies Nordmanniana)

For as number of years now, our best-selling trees have been Nordman Firs. This is partly to do with the high standard that we require from our suppliers, which is not the usual standard found in most garden centres.

Our top of the range Nordmans are bushy and full, right to the tip and are very even all the way up. Maybe that is why our customers come back every year. Why not judge our trees and compare for yourself. The Nordman is a slow growing tree with excellent needle retention. It has glossy dark green needles and thick foliage. The trees are generally sheared to give a full and uniform shape.

Nobel Fir (Abies Procera)

The Nobel Fir is often called the King of the Christmas trees. With a silvery sheen and blue/green needles, it has excellent needle retention plus a lovely fragrance. It is quite a heavy tree and lots of work goes in to growing a great nobel. They are usually trimmed each year to give an even shape and are chosen for their density.

The Nobel Fir is also used in the greenery business, to make wreaths and garlands. Indeed, it is what we use primarily in our own wreath-making department.

Frazer Fir (Abies Frazeri)

New to the British Christmas tree market, this is the most favoured tree in America and is becoming very popular over here.

It has good needle retention and a citrus fragrance, giving a very pleasant aroma. The needles have a dark green appearance on the top and a silvery white band underneath giving a silvery look, plus the needles are short and soft.

It is slightly narrower than some trees, making it ideal for anyone with limited space.

Norway Spruce (Picea Abies)

This is the original Christmas tree and for some people it is the only Christmas tree.

Although this is a lovely tree, it does tend to lose its needles so may not be the tree for you if you have small children or pets.

Needle retention can be helped by leaving the tree outside for as long as possible.

The Norway Spruce makes a wonderful outside display tree.

Blue Spruce (Picea Pungens Engelm)

An attractive tree used extensively in Europe , the Blue Spruce has a narrow pyramidal shape and cone shaped crown. Quite a slow growing tree, the needles are longer on the lower branches and are four-sided with a very sharp point on the end. It is this point that gives the species its name "pungens" from the Latin word for sharp.

The needles are generally a dull blueish grey to silvery blue. Needle retention is among the best for the spruces. It is also popular as an ornamental tree for the garden which is why some customers like to buy it as a living Christmas tree to be planted after the holiday season.

Potted and Pot-Grown Trees (various types)

Pot grown trees have been grown in their pots all their lives. This gives them the best possible chance of growing after the holidays. They are usually close to a metre high and should be in a ten-litre pot. Normally we have Nordman , Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce and the Frazer Firs are just beginning to make their mark on the scene.

On the other hand, any tree that is sold as a potted tree, has been dug up, usually by machine, and put in a pot. The roots are usually damaged, but it does help with the needle retention over Christmas. They do have a chance of growing afterwards, but it is less than the pot grown trees. Just check beforehand if this is important to you.