Five years, then it’s time for the chop

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.