A garden expert is warning there could be a shortage of quality Christmas trees this year due to wet weather conditions early on in the season. Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, said that while there should be enough trees to go around, those who leave their tree shopping late could end up compromising on quality.
In its monthly summaries, The Met Office described the first few months of the year 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. Chris said: “There will be lots of people heading out over the next few weeks to buy their Christmas trees but unfortunately not everyone may be able to secure a quality tree this year.
“The start of this year was pretty wet and as we headed into the growing season temperatures were much cooler than usual meaning that a lot of trees would have experienced more moisture and higher risks of fungal diseases. These conditions can cause all sorts of problems for trees, affecting their growth and overall appearance.
“The cost of fertiliser has also risen, meaning some farms have been reducing the amount of feed they’re providing trees which can be seen in the finished product.”
Trees are also likely to be more expensive this year thanks to a ‘classic supply and demand’ issue. Chris said: “Prices are likely to rise across all types of Christmas trees, and whilst we’ve held as many of our prices as possible for our customers, we know it’s not easy and other retailers could be increasing their prices up to 20 per cent.”
The garden centre boss is encouraging Britons to buy their trees sooner rather than later in order to secure quality festive fir. Those that leave it too late could be left with bleak looking trees that are sparse, gappy and have a short lifespan.
Chris added: “Looking after trees this year is more important than ever and unfortunately places like supermarkets aren’t at the right temperature for festive fir, so there is no guessing how these trees will hold up once you take them home.
“Not every retailer hand picks their trees to ensure quality the way we do, so make sure to get out there and purchase your tree early to get one of good quality that will last you all throughout December.”
Chris Bonnett’s top tips for picking the best Christmas tree:
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Check the colour – Check for any grey or brown colouring.
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Perform the drop test – Hold the tree a few inches above the ground and drop it, if quite a few needles fall off then the tree is not fresh
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Run your hands through the branches – It’s common for some internal needles to fall off, but the exterior ones should remain intact.
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Know your trees – Knowing which tree you want will help you know what to look out for when shopping for a healthy tree.
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Pick a tree partly in shade – Picking a tree that is already partly in shade means that it won’t struggle to adapt when you move in doors since it’s already been kept away from some sun.