How Premium Christmas Trees Are Grown

Three Outcomes for Every Christmas Tree

When it comes to growing Christmas trees, there are only three possible outcomes:

When cutting season arrives, decisions must be made quickly in the field. Experienced growers can assess a tree in seconds, determining whether it meets premium standards, passes as standard, or stays in the ground. Much of the time, an expert team will have already tagged the trees, so cutters can concentrate on more importants things - like cutting a flat, level bottom on the tree! The best farms consistently produce a high ratio of premium to standard.

Why Spring Pruning Matters

Christmas trees are pruned in early spring, typically March or early April. The timing is critical. With minimal foliage on the tree, it becomes easier to see the underlying structure and identify which branches should be removed to encourage better shape.

Pruning at this time allows the tree to heal before the stresses of the growing season begin. It helps redirect energy into developing a fuller, more balanced crown. When done incorrectly or at the wrong time, however, pruning can stunt growth or create weak points that compromise the tree’s structure. Growers often use ingenious techniques to encourage denser foliage in sparse areas, further developing each tree into a beautiful symmetrical form.

The Mathematics of Planting

When trees are first planted, they're often spaced incredibly close together, just two feet apart. This might seem counterintuitive, but the reason is simple: close planting forces trees to grow upward rather than outward, producing the straight, upwards profile thats required to make a good Christmas tree.

After the first year or two, every other tree is removed. This "thinning," gives the remaining trees room to develop while maintaining that desirable upward growth habit. The removed trees aren't wasted – they're either mulched and returned to the soil or sometimes used as starters for Pot Grown trees.

A seven-foot Nordmann Fir, given proper irrigation and rich, well-fertilised soil, takes around six to eight years to reach harvestable size. For every hundred premium trees cut, a grower will have planted several hundred seedlings. The economics of Christmas tree farming are built on this ratio.

The Unexpected Wildlife Haven

Remember those "ugly" trees? They stay in the ground, and over the years they transform into something far more valuable than a Christmas tree – wildlife habitat. These oddly-shaped Nordmanns provide shelter for birds, small mammals, and insects. Their dense lower branches offer protection from predators and harsh weather.

Well-managed Christmas tree farms become accidental nature reserves. The regular spacing creates corridors for wildlife movement. The lack of pesticides (Nordmann Firs are naturally pest-resistant) means healthy insect populations that feed local bird species. In winter, when natural food is scarce, the seed-bearing cones of mature trees provide critical nutrition.

The British Advantage

British Christmas tree farms benefit from a climate that Nordmann Firs genuinely prefer. Cool, damp winters and moderate summers mirror their native Caucasus Mountain range. This means less irrigation stress, better needle retention, and trees that look healthier because they are healthier.

The UK's shorter supply chain also matters. A tree cut in Scotland or The Midlands can reach a London home within 48 hours. Compare that to imported trees, which might spend two weeks in transit, losing moisture and vitality with each passing day. Freshness isn't just marketing – it's measurable in needle retention and fragrance.

British growers also operate under stricter environmental standards. Soil testing is mandatory. Water usage is monitored. Chemical use is restricted. These aren't optional extras – they're legal requirements that ensure the land remains productive for generations.