Cuttings

NEW European Community specifications have been drawn up for Christmas trees. The width of the tree should not be greater than 1.3 times the height of the tree, nor less than one third its height. The butt should be at least 5 per cent of the height but not more than 10 per cent of the height of trees up to 2m. Has anyone told the trees?

On quality standards, members could not agree, which is a relief. If you want a cock-eyed tree, you can still have one. These are by far the most convenient for fitting into the corner of a room. The perfectly symmetrical tree, as advocated by the new EC regulations, sticks out awkwardly.

The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association expects the total market to be five million trees. One and a half million will have been imported, but devaluation gives a competitive edge to home-grown trees.

Traditional Norway spruce is still the favourite type and accounts for 70 per cent of sales. Nordmann and Noble firs hold on to their needles better, but are much more expensive. A top quality Norway spruce 6ft to 7ft high should cost between pounds 10 and pounds 15. One of the firs at the same size will cost pounds 20 to pounds 25.

Both of the firs and another type of spruce have a much more pronounced blue-grey colour than the bright green Norway spruce. They are usually sheared while growing to conform to our idea of what a Christmas tree should look like.

Cut trees, like cut flowers, need water. You can buy stands with water reservoirs built into them. Or you can use a bucket and wedge the tree with heavy stones. Add the water when you are sure that the tree is fixed firmly in position. A wrap of kitchen foil is the quickest way to disguise the container.

You can obtain fresh trees from the following suppliers: Scotland - the Buccleuch Estate, Dumfriesshire (0848 6283), S & J Duff, Stirlingshire (0360 85404), G S Hughes, Tay (0382 580084). Northern England - David Grewer, North Yorkshire (0751 76641), Sir Charles Legard, South Yorkshire (0377 44324). West Midlands - Eric Hollington, Cheshire (0925 266974), G Gilbert, Solihull (021-733 2633), The Earl Howe, Warwickshire (0295 688100). Eastern England - Peter Strawson, Humberside (0472 822442), P A Goodson, Norfolk (0605 48878), D L Bloomfield, Essex (0277 210247). Welsh Borders - M R Knight, Herefordshire (0497 3268), Huntley Estate, Gloucestershire (0452 830209), G A Baker, Worcestershire (0905 620474). South-west - J Barrell, Hants (0425 479387), Viscount Cranborne, Dorset (0725 4289). Home Counties - Hatfield Park Estate, Herts (0707 264412), Yattendon Estates, Berks (0635 201422), Mark Syms, Surrey (0483 268296), Godwin International, Kent (0634 373232).

For more addresses where you can buy your own Christmas tree, contact the Growers' Association (081-946 2695).