As nights get colder and fairy-lit Christmas trees grace our houses – one Bolton delivery service is making sure trees are beautiful and sustainable.
Josh Beech, 27, Director of Beech’s Xmas Trees, said Christmas tree sellers can ship in product from Scotland or even Norway.
But he gets his closer to home – at a farm in Edgworth.
And cuts them down fresh, within two days of delivery.
He said: “We don’t buy ours in from other countries.
“People can order them on our website priced by height. We cut them down at the farm in Edgworth on the weekend or morning of delivery.
“We start delivering this coming weekend and already have 50 orders.
“This is so they can last through Christmas. We take orders up until December 21 and the delivery is free.
“Most businesses I’ve seen ship by the lorry load from farms in Scotland, Wales or Norway.
“With us, if we get three orders, we cut down three trees.
“We don't get a surplus and then not sell them. They aren’t wasted.
“And we deliver directly in Bolton, Bury and Darwen.
“That’s not a lot of carbon emissions. They aren’t travelling hundreds of miles.
“For each tree that's cut down, one is replanted at the farm. It's not from a natural forest.”
There are practical benefits, too.
He said: “Our trees can last anywhere between two and six weeks, depending on how hot someone’s house is.
“When people buy a Christmas tree they can't be sure when it’s been cut down.
“It could have been three weeks ago or a month. And that affects how long it lasts.
“But with us, you know it’s been within 24 to 48 hours.
“And because it’s so fresh, it doesn’t require much maintenance.
“But, it’s important not have them near any radiators or heat sources.
“They should be placed in the coolest spot in the room."
After Christmas is over, the trees can litter skips or streets. But Josh helps customers dispose of them properly.
He said: “When people are finished with them, we can collect and recycle the trees for a fee.
“We donate the profits to Age UK in Lancashire.”
Josh started delivering Christmas trees five years ago.
Outside the winter months, Beech’s Xmas Trees is called Beech's Gardens & Grounds Maintenance - a gardening business.
He said: “I've been doing this a long time, since I was 15.
“My uncle ran a gardening business in Bolton for 30 years and I worked for him.
“Then one day I thought I'd set up one of my own.
“I really enjoy it. I like working outside and meeting customers.
“It’s harder in the winter, which is one reason I started delivering Christmas trees.”
To find out more, visit https://beechs-xmas-trees.co.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here