The Shropshire-grown tree for the Morrisons' advert, filmed in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Kent Film Office

Tom recalls: “In 2004 I saw that a demand for fresh cut Christmas trees was increasing but that the delivery factor and accessibility factor were problematic areas for most customers.

“With a basic understanding of e-commerce, I knew there must be a market for an online offer. Christmas 2007 saw a very successful year, selling thousands of trees online. They were completely sold out by December 10.”

After five years at the helm, Tom sold xmastreesales.co.uk to Scottish Christmas Trees, one of the UK’s largest growers of Christmas trees, for an undisclosed sum to focus on his current specialist market, really big trees for commercial, corporate and private settings.

“We care hugely how our trees look and where they will go. It takes approximately one year for a foot of growth so when our very big trees leave us we have been nurturing them for quite sometime.

“We are proud to have trees standing in many prestigious locations around the UK such as the Queens Gallery, London, the Tiffany’s tree at Somerset House and Wembley Stadium.”

Tom says: “The UK fresh Christmas tree market has evolved considerably since I began in 2004. We are less dependent on imported trees from Scandinavia, but there does remain a demand from retailers.

“The current exchange rate with the euro will undoubtedly see price increases on anything that is imported. For best value, fresh grown trees for families I would always recommend finding a local grower and making sure the tree has been cut as recently as possible.

“To ensure longevity and best performance, the customer needs to care for the tree as they would a house plant. It will need watering and will not like an overly central heated location.”

By Amy Bould