Real vs. Fake Christmas trees

With little less than 7 days until December arrives Christmas is only around the corner meaning that thoughts are already turning to preparations for gifts, cards and decorations.

Each festive season there are always new takes on the old Christmas traditions, modern and contemporary decorations, colour schemes and themes.

Whatever your take on this festive season, it is likely you will still be upholding the old school tradition of a Christmas tree in your home or office and will find yourself confronted with the choice between a fresh, real tree or an artificial plastic version.

Artificial Christmas trees first appeared in the 1930’s and since then their appearance has become more widespread, however, what most people don’t realise though is that the best choice is always the most natural, and here’s why:

-          Cycle of life – Real Christmas trees are grown on farms in crops to maintain a constant, steady supply so while many people do believe purchasing a real tree can cause harm to the environment it actually supports the growth of the industry contributing to the cycle of life that can improve our environment. This happens because each tree absorbs CO² and other gases emitting oxygen as nature’s natural filtration system.

-          Recyclable – Landfills are faced with a shortage of space, with this in mind a real Christmas tree can be disposed of and used a mulch to replenish soil, create habitats and fuel while fake plastic Christmas trees have no further use once they are rubbish, do not disintegrate and will fill landfill space.

-          Scent – A real Christmas tree can bring a fresh scent of balsalm fir to your home which cannot be replicated and adds to that Christmassy feel and comfort often missing at Christmas time. If you’re having guests over for the holidays, give them that fresh ambience.

-          Unique – Because real Christmas trees are grown naturally they are all individual meaning that even though you may decorate your tree with ornaments that feel individual to you, your tree will be like no one else’s either, in height, width or stature. Go as large or as small as you want.

If you’re a garden centre or domestic homeowner and are looking for a Christmas tree or wholesale Christmas trees to sell this December take a look at our website with some great offers to be had.

Plan & Prep your garden hedge

Hedges have been an important part of the British landscape and wildlife attraction for many centuries. Whether you’re an amateur or veteran gardener, knowing when to plant one and how to prepare your hedge for the cooler and more brisk temperatures is key to a beautiful and thriving display for your gardens.

Hedges are typically planted for varied purposes to usual plants and shrubs found in the gardens, whether for protection, as an alternative to a fence or to prevent windbreak, they are a diverse form of plant life and therefore should be planted and maintained differently to other garden plants.

As the mists, darker evenings and winter chill appears in the air, believe it or not, now is the time to start planning your hedge planting.

Here are a few Seagrave Nursery tips to help you on your way to hedging heaven:

What hedge?

There are many types of hedging plants out there, but depending on how quickly you want results you will need to decide between the smaller hedging plants (whips) which are usually cheaper and easier to establish or larger plants which will provide boundaries a lot quicker. 

Deciduous hedges and evergreen hedges are ideal for planning early- mid autumn so the soil can be worked easily.

When?

The planting season starts when plants are lifted from nurseries like ours so usually October until early March. Make sure that if your soil is light you plant before Christmas and that for heavier clay-type soils you plant after Christmas so that there is less chance of water logging which can cause harm to your hedge particularly as they are more prone to risk after they have first been planted.

Prepare

Wherever you are planting your hedge you will need to ensure that the ground has been prepared enough so plough and cultivate. Kill any weeds with herbicide a long time prior to planting and consider organic mulches. The more preparation that goes into the ground, the more successfully formed your hedge will be.

Preparation is the most important part before planting any type of hedge, whether one or many.

At Seagrave Nurseries we can provide you with the correct guidance and advice to ensure that your hedges fulfil their potential.

At present we are offering customers 25% off the marked price of everything for a limited period only. Please browse our current range of hedging plants which can be brought in bulk or as single pieces.