Locally grown tree for Ottery town centre

Festive cheer has been brought to Ottery with a Christmas tree grown by Otter Garden Centres less than two miles from the town centre.

The tree was put up outside the library in Silver Street by a team from the garden centre just in time for the town’s late night Christmas shopping event.

As before, the tree donation was managed by Ottery resident Richard Coley with representatives from Otter joining him to help decorate and add the all-important fairy lights.

Otter Garden Centres Branch Manager John Giblin, who was on hand helping to hang the baubles, said: “We were delighted to supply a homegrown tree again this year and to support the late night shopping with a central point for festive carol singing.

“Last year we had a bit of a challenge due to extreme winds, but I’m glad to say that this time round, the tree went up without a hitch!”

The Nordmann Fir is known for having very little needle drop, so Ottery’s tree will look good until the day it is taken down. It was grown on the company’s site for 10 years prior to being cut, providing shelter and food for wildlife. 

John added: “We also have beehives on our Christmas tree growing site and the bees make great use of the pollen produced by the fir trees, using it to feed their larvae.”

Otter’s policy is to plant a new tree for each one cut, meeting sustainable aims. When it is taken down in the new year, the tree will be recycled through council recycling scheme.