A GARDEN centre boss is trawling the forests of Scotland to find the best Christmas trees for people in South Cumbria.

Marc Charnley from Crooklands of Dalton uses all his 15 years of experience to select fresh-cut sustainable trees and make sure customers are given sound advice on how to care for them.

He said: "It takes a lot of planning, I've been to the far north of Scotland in my search.

"To ensure the quality and freshness of our trees I insist on working closely with the Forestry Commission. I personally tag every tree myself and our team of landscapers cut them out.

"That means I know how long each batch of trees has been cut for. It keeps the freshness and quality there. The large plantations which cut millions of trees out have to start cutting them in October to get through the workload. For the customers that means it's pot luck how long your tree has been cut for."

Crooklands of Dalton has expanded in the past year to include a restaurant and a grand function room, as well as a unique children's activity centre called Planet Play.

But Mr Charnley's passion is all about the outdoors, and that includes Christmas trees.

He's keen to make sure people get the best possible advice on what they are buying. Crooklands has a huge floodlit undercover area where customers can look over the trees.

Mr Charnley said: "It's really important for us that people choose a tree that will suit their home.

"Firstly; measure the space where the tree will be going and remember that trees look smaller in the open. Make sure the foliage is dark green; that means the tree has been fertilized and is strong and healthy.

"Lastly, think carefully about which tree is right for you depending on its location in your home. If you suffer from allergies, for instance, some of the stronger scented trees should be avoided."

Choosing a tree is only part of the job. A few simple steps will keep it looking good into the New Year.

Mr Charnley said: "After buying your tree, it should be kept outside in a cool place, preferably standing in water until it is required indoors. Before the tree is brought indoors, try to cut about two centimetres off the trunk. This will help the tree drink more water and stay fresher.

"For ultimate freshness, stand the tree in a water-holding Christmas tree stand. They're lightweight and clean and keep the tree fresh. Keep the water topped up every day; you will be amazed how much a Christmas tree drinks.

"Stand the tree away from direct heat such as radiators or, if that's not possible, turn the nearest radiator off or at the very least down to low."

　

TREE TYPES

Norway Spruce These are the traditional sharp-needled trees which were very popular in the UK up until 15 years ago. They don’t hold their needles as well as fir trees and for that reason have gone out of fashion. Now they are mainly used outside or in cold hallways. The average price for a six-foot tree is £18/£20.

Noble Fir Very attractive with deep blue foliage and heavenly-scented, they have a tendency to be a bit sparse and, when in a warm house, tend to shrivel up rather then lose their needles. The average price for a six-foot tree is £45.

Scotch Pine Hardy Scotch Pines have long pine needles with pine cones on some branches. They are slightly scented and a really good value tree with good needle retention. They will tolerate most household environments and were very popular trees in the 90s. The disadvantage is they don’t come in the traditional Christmas tree shape. The average price for a six-foot tree is £35.

Nordman Fir These are some of the most popular trees with a traditional shape, deep green foliage and beautiful pine fragrance. Their needle retention is excellent, which makes them among the most popular in Europe. The average price for a six-foot tree is £40/£45.

Frazer Firs These dense luxurious trees are heavily scented but not that popular. They are slow-growing and so a little more expensive to buy. The average price for a six-foot tree is £50.