Gardener issues Christmas tree shortage warning (Image: Getty)
Chris Bonnett, founder of , is encouraging festive Brits to buy their trees sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
The start of 2024 brought more rain than usual with the describing these first few months as ‘wet and unsettled’ – conditions which have since played havoc on growing conditions across the country.
This, along with the cooler temperatures experienced in the early growing season, has now led to a shortage in good quality Christmas trees.
The excess moisture caused from the wet and cool weather can create problems such as fungal disease which ultimately impacts a tree’s growth and appearance.
Despite farms doing what they can to improve the situation, the rise in cost of fertiliser has led to a lot of them reducing the amount of feed given to trees which has also affected their overall look and growth.
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If households want a high quality, healthy Christmas tree, they need to order them sooner rather than later. Retailers usually buy mixed pallets from plantations to offer a variety of sizes, but no doubt there will be a higher ratio of lower grade trees this year.
This problem is Europe wide, with a lot of imports from Denmark, who have also struggled with the same issues that the UK have faced.
A classic supply and demand issue means that you may find that Christmas trees are more expensive this year as well.
We know times are tough so we’ve held as many of our prices as possible for our customers but we know it’s not easy which is why we’re seeing other businesses increase their prices. Trees could go up by 20 percent.
To avoid ending up with a bleak and gappy tree, make sure you secure your tree early on in December and take good care of it to ensure it looks its best throughout the festive season.
A Christmas tree should be placed where it will get a few hours of natural sunlight each day (Image: Getty)
How to care for your Christmas tree:
Buy a healthy tree
Sourcing a good quality tree is important as it will dictate your tree’s longevity. With the current climate, hunting for your Christmas tree early is important this year.
If the tree you like has brown needles that are dropping off, it’s best to choose a different, more verdant tree. Consider how your tree is stored when buying in person. Shaded trees are usually better and mean that your tree will adapt to the indoor climate much quicker.
Keep away from heat
When choosing a spot in your home for the tree, ensure it is away from any heat sources, including lights and radiators, to prevent it from drying out. As well as for your safety – trees that are getting watered regularly should be kept away from electricals. Make sure to keep your tree in a place where it will get a few hours of natural sunlight each day.
Trim the tree
Before placing your tree in water, it’s important to give the bottom of the tree a trim. Sap will have formed at the bottom of the trunk from the first trim in an attempt to heal the tree’s wound. Giving it another trim before placing it in water will remove this, allowing for a much better water consumption.
Maintenance
Acclimating your tree is necessary so that it doesn’t go into shock as this can cause the tree to lose needles prematurely. You can do this by storing the tree in the garage or shed a day or two before bringing it into the home.
Christmas trees require a lot of water to stay healthy. Your tree will be able to drink between one and two litres of water a day, so keep an eye on water levels and top this up when necessary.