Kent trees avoid heatwave growth issues

A Kent Christmas tree farmer says his crop has bucked the regional trend of poor growth due to the hot summer.

Growers across south-east England have reported stunted pine tree growth, and saplings withering away during the hot summer in which some places did not see rainfall for 40 days.

However Rob Schroeder from Kingswood Christmas Trees near Maidstone said the heatwaves did not particularly affect his stock as it was already well established.

"I think it will be a very good season despite the dry weather. The Nordmann fir are very deep-rooted to reach the moisture in the soil and they look remarkably well, although cost of living issues are making it harder to grow them."

Christmas trees have been grown at the family farm since Schroeder's father first planted them in 1955.

However, despite weathering the extreme climate this year, the farm is feeling the challenges of a tougher financial environment.

"Like all farming and a lot of other businesses it's very challenging," says Schroeder.

"The price of diesel has doubled, fertilisers are up, labour costs are up, so it's a struggle."

Yet Schroeder has made the decision to not raise his prices this year after tracking inflation in 2025 as "things are hard for everybody so we've got to be reasonable".

The farm sells about 5,000 Christmas trees each year with sizes ranging from 3ft (91cm) to those best suited for outdoor displays.

"The biggest ones we do normally are 22 foot [6.7m] but there's quite a few 20-foot [6m] trees - the Port of Dover are having two, the Herne Bay Community Centre and I think even Margate Cemetery - but the most popular is a 6ft [1.8m] Nordmann fir, that goes in the house well," Schroeder says.

Customers are advised to care for their trees to prevent leaf drop by cutting off about half an inch (12mm} of trunk when they are brought home to open up the pores, before placing in a water-holding stand.

"Trees are very thirsty and can drink a pint (0.6l) of water a day," adds Schroeder.

Once the festive season is over, customers are then encouraged to take their trees to a local recycling centre to be chipped.

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