A CHRISTMAS tree grower near York is currently harvesting 26,000 trees after a record-breaking 2021.

Following a festive season selling all 20,000 of the trees it brought to market last year, preparations for Christmas 2022 are now in full swing at the historic Newburgh Priory Estate, near York.

Newburgh Priory diversified parts of the Estate for Christmas trees, shortly after Stephen Wombwell and his family, took ownership of the Estate from his retiring father in 2010.

Selling Christmas Trees below the tomb containing the alleged headless torso of Oliver Cromwell, which lies in the Newburgh Priory Estate attics, adds to the excitement – as Cromwell tried to ban Christmas.

Stephen Wombwell, the owner of Newburgh Priory, said: “In the wake of the Pandemic, we were absolutely delighted last year to have encountered record-breaking sales, selling our entire stock of British grown Christmas trees. This has given us the confidence to harvest more than ever before - with 26,000 trees currently being readied for sale, through both the wholesale and retail market.

"2022 has been an unsettling year for many so far, with the cost-of-living crisis, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the lingering effects of Covid and the continuing fall-out from Brexit.

"However, we believe, that nearly everyone wants to continue to make memories and celebrate at Christmas as best they can – and at the heart of that festive family time is a real Christmas tree.

"Anecdotal evidence supports this readiness from families, to continue to want to celebrate despite the circumstances. Since the Pandemic, we have had two record-breaking years however inevitably as a business, we have been hit by rising prices, with the costs of raw materials including wood for pallets, labour, fertiliser, labels and transport soaring.

"Nevertheless we are determined to make this Christmas equally successful and special, whilst we estimate our costs have risen by 20 per cent, we are happy to confirm that our retail prices will only increase by 10 per cent.”

This year the Newburgh Estate has invested in new technology, in the form of machinery which cuts, packs and stacks the trees on-site in the fields to ensure a swifter, more sustainable and more efficient operation.

Sustainability is a key objective for The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), who believe there will be a higher demand for locally grown trees this year, not just because of the problem of importing trees from Europe, but because more and more people are putting sustainability at the fore of their spending so will inevitably support British trees grown close to their homes.

A spokesman from BCTGA urged: “Buy a tree from our member growers and you will be supporting a local business, many of which are independent family-run enterprises further supporting local employment and the wider economy.”

Newburgh Christmas Trees also supports local charities, hospices, churches, and schools by donating trees for the festive season.