Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Known as the “Blue Spruce” the Colorado Blue Spruce has slender short stiff needles on stiff upward pointing branches. It can come in various shades of blue from nearly green to very blue or “Super Blue”. As the branches are very sturdy it is suitable for all types of decorations as well as candles

Serbian Silver Spruce (Picea omorika)

Also known as the silver spruce this tree has small slender needles with one side being a lighter colour than the other. This gives the tree a silvery fleck. These trees often have small cones on them even from a small size.

The shape is narrow and the branches sweep upwards. Suitable for all decorations these trees have large enough spaces between branches for candles

Norway Spruce ( Picea abies)

Best known as the “Traditional tree” the Norway spruce has slender needles and upwardly pointing branches as well as that Christmassy scent. The density of the branches results in a very full appearance. The Norway Spruce is suitable for all types of decorations due to its upward pointing branches

Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)

A nice fragrant tree with long slender needles and full appearance. The branches are upward pointing so suitable for all decorations

Nordmann Fir ( Abies nordmanniana)

Also known as the “Non Drop” the Nordmann Firhas soft wide needles and a more distinct layered appearance than other types of Christmas tree. This is due to the branches being flatter. As the needles are broader they carry more water and can withstand needle drop just that little bit better than other types.

These are best suited to lighter decorations as heavier decorations placed near the tips will bend the branches down and finish up on the floor

My man cave in the plantation

These trees are just beginning to grow. In the background is a Christmas tree shaped monument created after acquiring some white granite and not really knowing why I’d acquired it! It does look like a tree when you get up close enough!

A mixture of 6 year old Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce. Notice the difference in height between the species.

Fencing is there to stop the Roe deer getting in and damaging the trees between May and August

An image of the plantation taken from above showing a variety of Christmas tree types and sizes.

Our trees need plenty of space and moist, well drained soil to grow.

Nordmann Fir coming out of dormancy. Some are earlier than others.

To give a Christmas tree a nice shape its necessary to use shears. Shearing also encourages a fuller appearance. Here are some Nordmann Fir that have under gone the process

Reducing the rate at which the leader grows helps produce a nicer shaped tree. To do this special Top-Stop pliers are used.

A growing Christmas Tree

Top-stop cuts into the Nordmann Fir leader to reduce leader growth

Mature Christmas Tree