CHRISTMAS trees are springing up across the north-east five weeks before the big day.
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Rather than decorating an artificial tree, the demand for natural trees has grown substantially.
Neil Hewitt, who grows radiata pine trees on five paddocks in Rutherglen, said numbers soared after he began selling in 2013.
“In the first year we only had 35 sales but we rose to 150 last year,” he said.
Mr Hewitt said he started planting trees in 2009 on his vacant land to do something different.
“It’s very niche and I didn’t know of any other growers in the North East area,” he said.
“Our original target was a 40 to 50 kilometre radius from Rutherglen but in some cases we’ve gone well beyond that.”
Mr Hewitt said he didn’t want something that required a constant working hand.
“I didn’t want to do something that was a 365 days a year job,” he said.
Trees varied in size, Mr Hewitt said, but on average took the same amount of time to grow and mature.
“Most will be ready in three and a half to four and a half years,” he said.
“I have found my experience has been closer to the latter.”
Mr Hewitt said one of the biggest features of natural trees were the atmosphere they brought into a home.
“They put a very distinct smell in the home at Christmas that creates a positive warmth,” he said.
Mr Hewitt said maintenance should be a high priority on to-do lists of anyone who purchased a natural tree.
“If the tree is next to a window with sunlight it will dry out a lot quicker,” he said.
“It’s best if they stay in a cool environment and be watered because they’ll definitely last more than four weeks.”
Ensuring the pores of the tree are re-opened when set up inside was a crucial element of any tree’s health.
“The main trick with a real tree is taking another quarter or half inch slice off the base to open the pores,” he said.
“That will allow water to be drawn up.”
Mr Hewitt said no special chemicals were needed.
“Most people I’ve spoken to say they only need water to survive,” he said.
Mr Hewitt will open his doors to buyers on Saturday and Sunday for those wishing to purchase one.
“I’m not quite sure of numbers yet but I have received calls from people that bought one last year,” he said.
Eager buyers can head to 80 Great Southern Road in Rutherglen from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday to purchase and tag a tree for pickup closer to the festive day, as well as on Sunday, November 29.
They can also be found on Facebook at Rutherglen Christmas Trees.
