FOR years, people have shunned real Christmas trees for artificial ones.
But one East Yorkshire grower believes the public's love affair with the Christmas tree has been rekindled.
Neil Wright and his family, who own Newsholme Christmas Trees, near Goole, have been in the business for more than 20 years.
He said: "Sales have been as good, if not better, than in any previous year. It's been a very good year for us.
"As well as returning customers, we have seen quite a few new customers come to us.
"People tell us they've never bothered with a real tree before – they've always tended to put up an artificial one.
"But this year, for some reason, they wanted a real one."
Mr Wright, who suspects the economic recovery may be a factor for the turnaround, believes a real Christmas tree cannot be beaten.
"A real Christmas tree is the smell of Christmas," he said.
Since the end of November, Mr Wright and his family estimate they have sold about 500 trees.
Traditionally, there are four main types of Christmas tree – Nordmann, Fraser and Noble fir and Norway spruce.
He said: "The Nordmann is the most popular. It's the variety that does not drop needles, which makes it popular."
In previous years, the region's Christmas tree growers have had to contend with conditions that were far from ideal.
Many will remember the severe winter of 2010-11 when workers, especially those on high ground in the Wolds, were forced to trudge through 7ft drifts to harvest their crop.
In many cases, branches were damaged by the snow.
However, this year's conditions have been perfect.
Mr Wright said: "The trees need a good soil, plenty of moisture and lots of sunlight – they have had that this year."
Kirk Ella Grange Farm, which also grows real Christmas trees, reports a similar story.
A spokesman said: "We only have a few trees left. We have had a busy year."
Meanwhile, Mr Wright has some useful tips to keep trees in tip-top condition into the new year.
Mr Wright said: "First of all, make sure you stand the tree in a proper container and keep it well watered. They absorb a lot of water.
"Treat it as you would a flower and don't put it near to a heat source, such as a radiator."
After Christmas, people are advised to chop up their trees and use them as a rich scented mulch for the garden.
He said unfortunately, they do not make good firewood as their sap will take a year to dry out properly.
He advises anyone who has bought a pot-grown tree to plant it at the back of the garden, as they grow extremely high.
