Sustainability: Making sure your Pot Grown Christmas Tree Can Continue to Grow in a Woodland

A real Christmas Tree with its unmistakable scent, dazzling array of decoration and twinkling lights, should always take centre stage when preparing your home for the festive season.

At Neal’s Nurseries and sister site Sheen Garden Centre, we understand the importance of a perfect Christmas Tree. That’s why we work with our longstanding UK suppliers Needlefresh to ensure the quality and variety is always the best you’ll find anywhere.  In our Garden Centres you will find an extensive selection of trees and everything you need to decorate and illuminate them too.  We are the one stop Christmas Tree shop.

Needlefresh have supplied us with Christmas Trees for over 25 years and in 2023 we trialled a scheme together, where customers who purchased a Pot Grown Christmas Tree could return it after the festive season to be planted in a woodland.   After a rewarding response we are continuing with this initiative.

How does it work and where are the returned Pot Grown Christmas Trees planted?   

In close partnership with Yattendon Estates, the returned trees are planted in clearings in a mature woodland.  The woodland is mixed but mainly mature broadleaves, and the existing trees help to protect their new neighbours until they are well established.

The advantage of our replanting scheme, is that the trees will continue to absorb Carbon Dioxide into the future.  The woodland area is teaming with flora and fauna and your tree can help provide additional cover for the birds and mammals here too.  They really are ecologically friendly and properly Carbon Neutral.

All we ask, is that you care for your tree by watering it during your end of year celebrations so it can keep growing.  Return it to one of our garden centres by the 15^th January and it will be replanted in the Yattendon Estate Woodland.   As a thank you, you will receive a voucher for 20% off your next purchase, which will be valid until the end of February 2025. 

Our Different Types of Christmas Trees 

We have trees to suit all needs and budgets.  Our reduced- drop trees come in all shapes and sizes and include Nordmann Firs – the UK’s most popular Christmas tree, through to Fraser Fir, Noble Fir and Ormorika Trees.

Nordmann Fir 

One of our favourites, the Nordmann Fir has a timeless shape and lush, glossy green foliage on tiered branches.  It is perfect for showcasing decorative ornaments, and the soft family-friendly needles make decorating easy for all the family too.

Fraser Fir 

Its conical shape, makes the Fraser Fir ideal for smaller spaces.  Giving a delightful scent that will fill the room throughout the festive season, the dense branches with soft green-silver needles make it an excellent choice.

Noble Fir 

The Noble Fir displays all the qualities of an ideal Christmas tree!  And, thanks to its beautiful blue-green foliage and pleasant fragrance it is an attractive tree too.  With excellent needle retention, open branching and perfect shape, this tree is ideal for showcasing those larger decorations.

How to choose your perfect Christmas Tree

1. Decide where your tree will be placed. Remember not near heat or people running past!
2. If you are using mains powered tree lights place your tree near a plug socket.
3. Choose a tree that fits the available height and space. Leave about 40 cm between the top of the tree and the ceiling and remember to account for a stand and topper.

Hints for decoration

• Think of your Christmas tree like wallpaper – have a repeat pattern using the same baubles two or three times up and down the tree.
• For ease, remove the metal hook from the bauble, place it over a branch, and reattach the bauble to secure it. Dangly ones are fine too!
• Put plainer baubles closer to the tree trunk and the more decorative ones nearer the tips of the branches,
• Buy twice as many baubles as you think you might need – this is the same for lights!
• Position your lights up and down the branches, do not wrap them around the tree.
• Use decorations and lights in a way that will retain the magical shape of the tree.

And, when all this is done, sit down, relax and enjoy this special time.

Both garden centres are part of Capital Gardens. 
For more information and gardening hints & tips go to www.capitalgardens.co.uk

Neal’s Nurseries
Heathfield Road, SW18 3HR
t. 020 8874 2037

Sheen Garden Centre
181 Upper Richmond Road, SW14 8DU
t. 020 8876 3648