A MERRY BREX-MAS
How buying British could save you money when it comes to Christmas trees
BREXIT could affect the cost of your Christmas tree, according to one of Wales’ top growers – but you could avoid a price rise by buying British.
Rob Morgan, whose spruce farm this week hosted the 2016 British Christmas Tree Growers Association competition, believes the falling pound could be great news for the British tree industry.
Every year between six and eight million British trees are sold in the UK and many trees are traditionally imported from large-scale growers like Denmark to meet demand in the UK.
The Swansea farmer said the price of imported trees has climbed by 15% due to the current economic climate, making homegrown trees more desirable.
Mr Morgan, owner of Three Crosses farm, Gower, has more than 300,000 trees growing on his land and one of his specimens was chosen to stand outside Downing Street in 2014.
He said: “The falling pound means imported trees will be far more expensive, as we still rely on imported trees. “These come in from such countries as Denmark, Belgium, Germany and Estonia. “So I think the consumer will be interested where their tree actually comes from. It is worth asking their supplier where the tree was grown, as some are cut very early, creating problems. “The British growers are creating a greater supply each year and quality of the tree is getting higher through improvements in husbandry methods, and specialist tree growers like ourselves.”
Customers can expect to pay from around £10 for a three-foot Norway Spruce to more than £200 for a 20-foot Nordman Fir.
He added: “A British tree tends to last longer as it doesn’t have to travel so far to get to its destination.”
Growers from across the UK descended on Wales this week to show off their produce.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association contest saw growers travel to Poundffald Farm in West Glamorgan, where they pitched their spruces and firs against those of their peers.
Farmers spent around 10 years nurturing the trees for the competi- tion and each is judged for its foliage, colour, shape and marketability.
The winner is annually chosen to supply Downing Street with its Christmas tree.
Husband and wife duo Stuart and Jennie Kirkup will give Number 10 two trees and its famous door wreath this year after scooping seven prizes in this year’s competition.
The couple from Dartmoor claimed the top prize for Champion Tree, Champion Tree Runner Up, Best Fir “Other”, Best Spruce Norway, Best Decorated Wreath, Best Natural Wreath and Champion Festive Wreath.