Sustainability
Few people understand just how environmentally friendly real Christmas trees are - read the facts here
Buy your real Christmas tree locally to support your local grower. Enjoy the smell and fun of buying, decorating and putting your presents under a real tree; safe in the knowledge it is truly the greenest choice.
Not only are our plantations a haven for wildlife, but a single tree can absorb 1 tonne of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, and one acre of Christmas trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people each day.
Real Christmas Trees are Truly Green - The Facts
► A real Christmas tree bought locally has the lowest carbon footprint.
► A two-metre plastic Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg of CO2, over 10 times greater than that of a real tree. This means that an artificial tree would need to be used for at least 10 years for its environmental impact to be lower than that of real trees.
► Unlike artificial trees, a real Christmas tree naturally absorbs CO2. and releases oxygen and also provides a habitat for wildlife and captures carbon from the atmosphere during the 10-12 years they take to grow.
► Unlike artificial trees, real trees can also be recycled. We are happy for you to bring your tree back to our yard after Christmas.
► When a Christmas tree is cut down, it is replaced by another seedling, with up to 10 trees being planted for every average size tree that is grown.
► Buy your real Christmas tree locally to support your local grower. Enjoy the smell and fun of buying, decorating and putting your presents under a real tree; safe in the knowledge it is truly the greenest choice.
Information supplied by British Christmas Tree Growers Association, correct May 2023.
Wildflowers and Wildlife
In May 2023 we planted two and a half acres of wildflowers in our plantations. Not only do these wildflowers provide a burst of colour, they also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies which are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat.
Christmas Tree plantations are a haven for wildlife, and we often see Deer, Rabbits, Badgers, Field Mice, Dormice, Snakes, Frogs, Spiders, Ladybirds and many types of birds including Birds of Prey.
Environmental Impact Research Project
Our plantations are the site of a nationwide project run in conjunction with the BCTGA and ADAS that is determining the CO2 footprint of UK Grown Christmas Trees. The aim of this project is to encourage the public to make an informed choice between the sustainable option of buying a locally grown Christmas Tree as opposed to artificial.
Christmas Tree Swap Shop
Thank you for your support!
Fresh home-grown Christmas Trees are amazing for the environment, not only do real Christmas trees naturally absorb CO2 and release oxygen, but a single tree can absorb 1 tonne of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, and one acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people each day. They also provide a habitat for wildlife.
Artificial trees have been the staple of many homes for many years, but our aim is to introduce more local people to the benefits of buying a real home grown tree, so this year we are introducing a swap shop. Customers can bring their old artificial tree* to our farm, and we will swap it for a voucher towards a real home grown environmentally friendly sustainable Christmas tree.
Artificial Christmas trees cannot be recycled, and so rather than sending perfectly good artificial Christmas trees to landfill we will ensure that they are re-used and re-homed. We will be donating them to the local branch of national charity DEBRA, who will ensure they go to a loving new home.
DEBRA are delighted to partner with Hans Christmas Andersen Christmas Tree Farm to find new homes for pre-loved artificial Christmas trees this festive season.
The funds raised from the sale of these trees in DEBRA stores will enable us to continue to provide vital community support services for families and individuals with EB, and fund potentially life-changing research that could lead to effective treatments that help stop the pain of EB.
DEBRA is the national charity and patient support organisation for people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a potentially fatal genetic skin condition that causes constant pain due to unstoppable internal and external blistering. You can find out more about EB on our website www.debra.org.uk
*artificial trees must be complete and un damaged
Voucher will be for £25 off a real Christmas Tree, and only valid at our Santa Fir location in Shamley Green. in 2023.
You can bring your artifical tree (at least 5ft height) to us any day from Monday 20th November 2023 at 9am to Friday 1st December 2023 at 8pm. Full details of our opening hours can be found here.
We may ask for photos for use on our social media and website, and for Debra to use.