A Brief History

Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm (DCTF) based in the South West was formed in 1990 and has long been one of the main Christmas tree growers in the region.  We are well known for producing trees of the highest quality and annually supply many garden centres throughout Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.  Indeed such is the quality of the trees produced that from 2000 – 2002 DCTF supplied the national arboretum at Westonbirt with trees and wreaths and still continues to provide containerised trees for this high profile retail outlet.

Purchased by its current owners, Stuart and Jennie Kirkup in 2002, we are a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) and are committed to improving our knowledge by visiting Christmas tree plantations nationwide and reading the latest literature on the subject in order to keep up with best practice and to continue refining our husbandry techniques.

DCTF still has its original 23 acres at Lower Cator in the heart of Dartmoor and a further 4 acres at Starcross. Trees grown on the sites are predominantly firs (Nordmann, Fraser and Noble) although 15% of the land is Norway spruce which continues to be a cheaper alternative.

The staff used by DCTF are mainly family and friends who return year on year with the remaining staff being sourced locally through the job centre.  Again many of these have been working with the company for numerous years.

Although for many years DCTF was seen as a wholesaler we view the future with an eye to retail. 

In 2002 we secured the Christmas tree franchise at Haldon Forest and since that time have almost doubled tree sales.

On our behalf this increase has been achieved through advertising using various mediums, superb customer relations and through the high quality of our products which have seen us receive not less than 12 national awards for our trees and wreaths (which for 3 years in a row were presented to 10 Downing Street).