Buy assured British-grown Christmas trees this festive season, CLA South East urges

The CLA is encouraging the public to buy locally-grown Christmas trees this festive season, in a bid to support rural businesses and boost the environment.

Christmas trees are bought in a relatively short period, usually starting from late November, though last year many families seemed particularly keen to start the festivities early as a tonic to the pandemic.

But trees require care throughout the year so that they keep the correct shape, with no distortions and are in perfect health for harvesting.

CLA South East represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

Regional Director Tim Bamford said: “Buying a locally grown tree means that it may only have been cut a short time before arriving at the retailer, reducing the likelihood of needle drop.

“Buying local, whether it is Christmas trees or other seasonal festive produce, helps to contribute to a vibrant rural economy.

"There is certainly a wide variety of suppliers of local products in our area, from fruit and vegetable growers to award-winning sparkling wine producers.

“Many people will already be regular visitors to farm shops and farmers’ markets.

"These businesses provide jobs, goods and services for local communities, attract tourism and provide a real boost to our economy.

“Small Business Saturday, a campaign which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to shop local, takes place on the first Saturday in December.

"It provides an important impetus for consumers to support small businesses in their communities, not just in the run up to Christmas, but throughout the year.”