Five years, then it’s time for the chop

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If you’re in the Christmas tree business, it’s best to be prepared for the long haul.

Forestry workers, such as Graham Webb at the 22,500-acre Elveden Estate in Newmarket, Suffolk, have been working up to 90 hours a week since the start of last month to meet demand.

The estate’s fir trees, cut between five and ten years old, range from 3ft to 100ft and cost up to £1,000. Six million trees are sold in Britain every year and the Noble fir is considered the most attractive — if only for its ability to keep its needles off the carpet.