By Evie Marlowe & Mariam Eleshinnla
Photos by Evie Marlowe
Holloway Road is usually full of shops and fast food, but during the Christmas period a small Christmas tree farm is open on this busy thoroughfare next to London Metropolitan University’s library.
The small junkyard has been transformed, and is now full of Christmas trees and festive cheer.
With Christmas songs blasting over speakers and lights and decorations everywhere, the owners of this small business knows how to make the entire atmosphere feel very festive.
When asked what makes their business appealing to the public, the owner said: “All the decorations. We use them to help us stand out.”
The Christmas decorations can be seen, and Christmas songs can be heard at the entrance to Holloway Road tube station.
The junk yard may be small, but the business stock a range of different sized trees that the owner said come from Hertfordshire and are priced between £30 to £180 depending on the size. Once you have selected your tree, the staff will wrap it in netting and then it is all yours to take home!
Real or fake?
According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, around 6-8 million Christmas trees are purchased in the UK each year. Prices range depending on location, as well as type of tree and size.
A debate rages about whether it’s better for the planet to have a real tree, or buy a fake one. About seven million trees are grown to become Christmas trees each year in the UK,, according to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA)
Fake trees are usually manufactured in China and are not recyclable, which is why the Soil Association says that buying a purpose-grown real Christmas tree is the best option.
“According to the Carbon Trust, a two-metre artificial tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg, more than ten times that of a real tree that’s burned after Christmas.
“In other words, you’d need to re-use an artificial tree 10 times to negate its carbon footprint, yet it’s estimated that fake trees are used only four times, regardless of improving quality,” the Soil Association says.
A small Christmas tree farm on the busy streets of London is great for residents of Holloway Road who want to get their hands on a fresh Christmas tree this Christmas as well as supporting a small business.
Love a real tree!