Yorkshire-grown Christmas Trees Available at The Arium

Locally grown festive trees ready for Leeds homes

Thousands of Christmas trees cultivated in Yorkshire are now available for purchase at The Arium, a garden centre owned by Leeds City Council. These trees, grown at Stockeld Park in Wetherby, are set to bring festive cheer to households across Leeds this Christmas season.

About the Christmas trees

Stockeld Park manages approximately 500,000 trees annually, with the majority being Nordmann firs. This species is the most popular Christmas tree in the UK, known for its straight central trunk, symmetrical shape, and needles that can remain on the branches for up to 20 years. In smaller quantities, Stockeld Park also grows Norway spruce trees, a traditional Victorian Christmas tree introduced to England in 1841 by Prince Albert. The Norway spruce is still appreciated for its distinctive festive scent despite a decline in popularity.

Christmas trees typically grow about one foot per year after establishing themselves in the soil. An average tree measuring six to seven feet is usually around ten years old.

Sales and additional offerings at The Arium

• The Arium has been selling Stockeld Park Christmas trees since 2018, providing local access to high-quality trees.
• Both Nordmann firs and Norway spruces will be available from 22 November.
• The garden centre will also offer other Christmas plants such as poinsettias and amaryllis, along with festive decorations.

The Arium is the largest local authority nursery in the country, with extensive glasshouses covering 19,000 square metres where most plants sold are grown. The site also supplies flowers and plants for public displays throughout Leeds.

Post-Christmas tree collection

After the festive period, St Gemma’s and Sue Ryder hospices in Leeds provide services to collect Christmas trees in early January from selected postcodes, offering residents a convenient disposal option.

Statements from officials

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, commented:

“For the eighth year in a row we’re delighted to be selling locally grown Stockeld Christmas trees at The Arium. We want to make sure that the people of Leeds have easy access to high-quality trees grown right here in Yorkshire. The Arium sells all kinds of festive decorations, and at the same time lets people invest back into their city.”

George Grant, owner of Stockeld Park, added:

“A massive amount of care goes into growing these trees. We have an extensive and very research-led cultivation regime, which includes several rounds of pruning, leader control, nutrient application and, where necessary, pest-control. We have around half-a-million trees growing at Stockeld, and much of this work has to happen by hand, so the trees really are a labour of love.”

Further information

More details about The Arium and its offerings can be found on their website: www.theariumleeds.co.uk.