Press Release

Christmas Trees from Wakehurst

A huge choice of Christmas trees will be on sale at Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, near Haywards Heath from 1 December 2006.

Whether you are looking for a traditional Norway Spruce, or fancy something more unusual like a Korean Fir, Wakehurst's Visitor Centre will have something for everyone.

Staff from Wakehurst - Kew's country garden - will also be on hand with advice and information on choosing and looking after your tree, to ensure it looks good throughout Christmas.

Andy Jackson, head of Wakehurst Place, said: "Traditional trees, such as the Norway Spruce, are always a favourite but some people like something a bit different. The Korean Fir, for example, has needles that are silver on the underside and white buds which makes it a distinctive tree.

"We will also have a range of other different species and sizes to suit everyone's tastes, including Blue Spruce, Scots Pine, Nordman Fir and Lodgepole Pine."

Advice from experts at Wakehurst on looking after your Christmas tree:

•  Keep the tree in a cool place, preferably standing in water, until you are ready to decorate it.

•  Cut an inch off the base of the stem to help the tree take up water.

•  Put the tree in a bucket or a purpose-made water holding stand.

•  Once wedged in place, fill the container with either pebbles or screwed up newspaper (not sand or earth) and keep topped up with water daily.

•  Keep the tree away from direct heat and in a cool room if possible.

Wakehurst's own Christmas tree - a 35 metre tall giant redwood which is the largest growing Christmas tree in the country - will be switched on by BBC TV presenter Beverley Thompson on Friday December 1 at 5pm. Visitors are welcome to attend the switching on ceremony, and admission to the gardens will be free after 4.30pm on 1 December.

Christmas trees will be available from the Wakehurst Visitor Centre from 10am to 4.45pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 11am to 4.45pm on Sundays. They will also be on sale during late night shopping evenings on 1, 7 and 8 December until 7.30pm - during these evenings, from 4.30pm, there will be free entry to the gardens to see Wakehurst's Christmas tree illuminated.

Many buyers bring their tree back after Christmas to a special 'chipping day' so that the trees may be recycled and the chippings used on the Wakehurst Place estate. Chipping will take place on Sunday 14 January in the car park from 10am to 3pm.

Wakehurst Place, at Ardingly, four miles north of Haywards Heath is open daily, from 10am, every day except 24 and 25 December. Tel 01444 890466 www.kew.org.

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Media enquiries:

Andy Jackson   01444 894054 or 01444 894067
Iain Parkinson 01444 894304

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