Christmas Trees in Ponteland: Where to Buy and Recycle

Ponteland and Darras Hall are spoilt for Christmas trees. A garden centre sits on the edge of the village, a family tree farm is a few minutes south at Black Callerton, and a second garden centre is just past the airport. This guide covers where to buy, how to keep a tree fresh through to Twelfth Night, and how to recycle it in January, when Northumberland's garden-waste bins are not being collected.

Seasonal sellers set their dates each autumn. Where a 2026 date has been published we give it. Where it hasn't, we say when the seller usually opens, so check before you set off.

Where to buy a real tree

Dobbies Ponteland

Dobbies Ponteland at Street House Farm, just off the A696 on the western edge of the village, is the closest place to buy. It sells fresh-cut and pot-grown trees alongside stands, lights and decorations, and the restaurant and Christmas events make it an easy family trip. Dobbies usually starts selling pot-grown trees from late October and cut trees from late November. Check the store page for current stock and hours.

Broomhall Christmas Trees, Black Callerton

Broomhall Christmas Trees at Broom Hall Farm in Black Callerton is a family business that has been selling trees for more than 35 years. It is a few minutes' drive south of Ponteland. It specialises in Nordmann firs from 4ft right up to 24ft, which makes it a good bet if you have a high ceiling or a big hallway to fill. Its website gives an opening day of 26 November 2026.

Broomhall also offers a paid January collection service, picking trees up from customers' homes for recycling. Check its website for the areas it covers and how to book.

Cowell's Garden Centre, Woolsington

Cowell's Garden Centre on Main Road in Woolsington, by Newcastle Airport, is around 10 minutes from Ponteland. It has a wide choice: fresh-cut Nordmann, Noble and Fraser firs, plus pot-grown Nordmann, Korean and Fraser firs. Trees can be pre-ordered online, which takes the stress out of finding the right size in mid-December.

Choosing and caring for your tree

Nordmann or Norway spruce? The Nordmann fir has soft, dark needles that it keeps well in a warm house, which is why it is the most popular choice. The Norway spruce is the traditional tree, with a stronger pine scent and a lower price, but it sheds sooner. If you choose a spruce, buy it nearer Christmas.

Check it is fresh. Needles should be supple and bend rather than snap, and a gentle shake should not bring many down.

Water it every day. Forestry England advises sawing a little over a centimetre off the base of the trunk at home and standing the tree in water straight away. A stand with a large reservoir helps; check the level daily and use plain water only.

Keep it away from heat. Radiators, wood burners and open fires dry a tree out quickly, so place it well away from them.

Pot-grown trees from Dobbies or Cowell's need a cool spot, regular watering and as short a time indoors as you can manage. Planted out in the garden or kept in a large pot, they can come back inside next year.

Recycling your tree in January

Northumberland County Council's garden waste service is a paid subscription with 20 collections a year from March to November. The council's garden waste page says there are no collections from December to February, so the brown bin won't take your tree in January.

Real trees can be taken to a household waste recovery centre as garden waste. Remove every light, decoration, bit of tinsel and string, and take off the stand first. The nearest centre is:

• Kirkley West Thorn HWRC, Ponteland Road, Ponteland, NE20 0AG. Open Friday to Monday only, 8am to 6pm from November to March.

Centres are for Northumberland residents only, with ID checked, and you need a permit for a van or trailer. There is no access on foot, and all sites close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Details for every site, including those open seven days a week, are on the council's household waste recovery centres page, or phone 0345 600 6400.

In past years the council has also set up extra tree drop-off points after Christmas. No arrangements had been published for January 2027 when we wrote this, so check the council website in December. If you bought from Broomhall, its collection service is another option.

Artificial trees

If you are retiring an artificial tree that still works, a charity shop or community group may be glad of it.