CHRISTMAS TREES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 305, 24 December 1938, Page 21 (Supplement)

CHRISTMAS TREES

THE BRITISH PRODUCT

Holly and mistletoe are traditionally used for the decoration of English homes at the Christmas season, and it is estimated that sonie 750,000 Christmas trees also play a part in the festivities every year. Most of the mistletoe comes from France, but the holly is grown in Great Britain, and the Christmas trees this year will also have to be British

! because, as a consequence of the ex- : istence of disease in spruce on the Continent, an order is in force prohibiting the admission of foreign pro- ■ duce of this type into the country. ! Christmas trees at one time were (imported in huge quantities, and to encourage cultivation at home a tariff ; was imposed to enable British growers to obtain a fair price. The Norway spruce is the true Christmas tree, though other species are sometimes substituted. It has the 1 advantage of firm branches which (will hold the presents tied to them;

| the branches of the Douglas spru | are too soft for the purpose, and other kinds of spruce are "spiky,” or are (wrong in colour. Some of the best (English trees come from Norfolk and (Suffolk, but they are also grown expensively in the Lake District, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Surrey, and in smaller quantities in Devon and (Cornwall.

I A poor soil which is not suitable for ( a better crop is the most effective for I the cultivation of Christmas trees, but the trees must be specially planted, and six to ten years are needed for the growth of a tree 3ft. in height. It is much regretted that the plantations were devastated by the spring frosts, as the quality of the British trees has ( been appreciated, and it had been cal- ■ culated that within a year or two there would be an ample supply to [ meet the home demand.