Christmas trees heading for stores

Hundreds of thousands of real Christmas trees will make their way from a plantation to stores across the UK this week.

B&Q is collecting more than 300,000 real trees from the Green Team Plantation in Aberdeenshire and delivering them across the UK to 362 of its stores.

Joclyn Silezin, buyer for horticulture at B&Q, said: "More customers are saying they will be spending Christmas at home this year with family and having a real Christmas tree is part of that tradition."

Earlier this year B&Q announced it would be investing in a new woodland scheme which will "demonstrate how neglected woodlands can be revived to support stronger levels of biodiversity, reconnect with local communities and encourage jobs and skills" in a sector with an ability to provide sustainable products and low-carbon fuels.

The project will work with community groups, councils, charities and landowners to map and assess 10,000 hectares of woods and, in the process, train and educate 1,400 people about the importance of good woodland management.

The company was the first large multiple retailer to sell real Christmas trees 30 years ago and continues to lead the offering of real trees in the UK.

Customers can choose from six varieties of real Christmas trees including the blue spruce, the Serbian spruce and the dwarf Alberta spruce.