Pines & Needles
Martin Hurley, of Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm in Battlesbridge, on how they can spruce up your festive decorations.
How long has Hurley’s Farm been growing Christmas trees? What’s going on for your 10 year anniversary at the new farm site?
We are the original real Christmas Tree Farm of Essex and have been growing pumpkins, squash, and Christmas trees since the 1950s. We are a family-run farm now in the third generation of Christmas Tree growers, and all of our children are actively involved in the growing operation at our farm.
For our 10th anniversary at our new farm location, we plan to open up our tree fields to allow any adventurous customers to walk amongst thousands of our beautiful Christmas trees to choose their perfect real family tree directly from our growing fields. Following in the footsteps of many stars and celebrities who love our trees and choosing them this way, a la Griswolds or not!
How many different varieties of trees will you be selling this year?
Hurley’s Farm currently grows over 10 main varieties of real Christmas trees, across nearly 100 acres of beautiful Essex farmland. We always have at least 5 varieties on sale to the public, including beautiful favorites like blue Noble Fir and super fragrant Fraser & Korean Fir.
What’s the advantage of buying directly from the grower?
At our farm, customers can walk amongst thousands of freshly cut trees that are all individually displayed to choose their perfect real tree. Quality and freshness are always our top priority, with very knowledgeable staff at hand to help with any questions. You will only get this at Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm.
How do you help your buyers to care for their tree?
Quality and freshness are always our top priority, with very knowledgeable staff at hand to help with any questions. All of our trees are supplied with detailed care labels. Most importantly, after purchasing a fresh, real tree directly from a real tree farm, the next most important requisite is to please make sure it is placed only in a water-holding stand and kept well topped up with clean, fresh water throughout the period. Otherwise, please keep away from direct heating sources as much as possible. Please recycle trees bought from us after Christmas at our farm, or through your local authority.
What does it mean that your trees are grown in accordance with the British Christmas Tree Growers Environmental Code of Practice?
All of our trees are grown to exceed the guidelines of the BCTGA Environmental Code of Practice. This means trees at our farm are always grown in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. We always plant more trees than we harvest. Furthermore, at Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm, we go above and beyond this and actively encourage natural, local fauna and flora to thrive on our farm.
Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QL
hurleysfarm.co.uk
