“It’s time to think of summer meadows,” said National Trust ranger Mark Bull. Christmas tree buyers at Longshaw do more than make their home or pub or church hall look festive, he explained.
“If you buy a tree from us, you’re helping fund our meadow restoration work, our native tree nursery, and all the insects, birds and animals that we’re helping to survive and thrive in the Peak District, all year round.”
Mark has been helping buyers select their trees in the often freezing Longshaw car park for thirty years, and in the face of cheaper competition from supermarkets and others, he says the British grown Longshaw trees are unique.
“If you’re a friend of the Peak District, if you work here, or ramble, run, cycle or walk your dog here, we say this Christmas, why not put a little back and show the people who enjoy your tree that you’re supporting the animals and trees of the Peak District?”
All profits from the sale of the National Trust trees at Longshaw go into conservation work, and last year over £21,000 was raised, which helped provide nest boxes for owls, kestrels and flycatchers, improved local habitats for waders like snipe and curlew, and enabled volunteers to collect seed and acorns to help preserve rare hay meadows and native trees.
This year, we are raising awareness of the charity’s Peak District Appeal ‘Woods for the Future’ project, which aims to plant thousands of native broad leaf trees in the Peak District and start a tree nursery at Longshaw to grow new trees for future generations. For more information, see our National Trust Peak District Appeal.
The Longshaw Christmas trees are grown at the estate or at other local nurseries, or are brought in from other sustainably managed UK growers to meet demand, and include Norway Spruce, Fraser Firs, Lodgepole Pine and ‘non-drop’ Nordmann Firs.
Mark and his team of National Trust staff and volunteers are open every day from 10am to 4pm for ready-cut or rooted trees, whatever the weather.
Mark said: “We know people appreciate the work we do to help the Peak District, and we’re really grateful for everyone’s support.”
