THERE’S nothing quite like the smell of a real tree at Christmas.
Putting lights and decorations on a fir tree in your living room is guaranteed to stir the festive spirit.
But how about choosing your winter greenery while it’s still growing in a field?
Grappenhall Christmas Trees has just opened for the season selling real trees freshly cut from the forest or still growing in the ground.
Brother and sister team Robert Harrison and Louise Collins run the eco-friendly business on Broad Lane in Grappenhall at a farm owned by John and Andrew Bartholomew.
The farm was originally a market garden owned by Alan and Kath Bartholomew – John and Andrew’s parents – with the brothers planting the first Christmas tree in 1996 and opening Grappenhall Christmas Trees six years later.
Rob and Louise joined the business in 2010 when Andrew moved to New Zealand and John was in Hertfordshire and they now operate under their own licence.
Louise, who grew up on a farm just two miles away, said: “It’s taken about nine years to reach optimum selling height and optimum standard so we’ve got no plans to move!
“We’re a Christmas tree farm so people can come and choose a tree direct from the field or one that’s been freshly cut.
“We have trees of all sizes and varieties available although the Nordmann Firs are the most popular.
“We have an old barn that used to house the cows, which we’ve turned into a Christmas shop and we also sell stands, pot grown trees and decorations.
“Early in the season, we have a ‘choose and tag’ event when customers can come and reserve a tree that’s still growing in the ground and they can then collect it closer to Christmas.
“Last weekend we had our ‘sustainabilitree’ event where people could plant a real tree for every tree that was purchased.
“We’re so much more than just buying a Christmas tree – it’s a festive experience for all the family.”
Rob is an agricultural contractor and his own flock of sheep with Annie his sheepdog often spotted running around under the trees.
Louise is head of fulfilment at a contact centre but takes annual leave in November and December to support during the busy festive period.
The hard-working team on site have high-viz jackets that say they’re ‘here to help’ and that can be anything from holding a tree so you can judge the size and make sure it’s right for you and your home right through to general advice on which variety to choose.
Louise said: “We have hundreds of freshly cut Christmas trees to choose from so customers can see them in all their glory before deciding which one to take home.
“It’s a big decision and we want it to be the right one for your Christmas celebrations.
“We grow all our own trees so you know exactly where it’s come from and sustainability is hugely important to us.
“We use tree netting that can be added to your recycle bin at home and have just moved to electric chainsaws.
“Offering customers the chance to order directly from our website has proven to be very popular with people not wanting to venture out into the cold, as we hand pick your tree and deliver it straight to your door.”
So, what’s next for Grappenhall Christmas Trees? What happens when Christmas arrives and people have bought their trees?
Louise said: “We’re a very seasonal business – unfortunately our trees don’t sell well in the summer!
“After we close on December 18, Rob is off to Cornwall to celebrate Christmas with his wife Hannah and Annie the sheepdog and I’m going to Wales to celebrate with my husband Chris and Buster the dog.
“I can’t wait to sit in front of the fire with my carefully selected tree and enjoy some festive chilling time.
“We’ll be planting more trees in the spring that will be ready in 2030 and beyond and then next Christmas will soon roll round!”
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