Following a year of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and different lockdowns, many families have decided to buy their Christmas trees early this year.

And Christmas tree growers across the UK say they are having a bumper year.

Families across Oxfordshire have certainly been getting their trees set up nice and early and have sent us pictures to prove it.

Oxford Mail:

Frankie Pacey's family

After lobbying from growers, the government relaxed coronavirus restrictions and since then the spruces and firs have been flying off the farms.

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Heather Parry from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association said several of her 320 members say it is the busiest they've ever been.

UK farms usually sell about eight million trees each year.

Oxford Mail:

Jane Robinson's Christmas tree

This year they predict it could reach as many as 10 million.

Growers say wholesale business to retailers is already 24% higher than this time last year.

Fewer people are going abroad, and there are many more smaller gatherings taking place instead of large family get-togethers, requiring more, smaller trees.

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And more people want the smell of the outdoors and the sense that they are doing something "authentic" this year.

Oxford Mail:

Nathan Goodwin's tree

Once you get your cut Christmas tree home, take it out of its net and leave it in a bucket of water outdoors until you are ready to decorate it, says the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.

Avoid placing it too close to a fire or radiator, as it will dry out and the needles will drop off, says the Royal Horticultural Society.

Saw one inch off the bottom of your tree before placing it in a stand with water in the base, advises the RHS.

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It also says you should:

Check the water levels daily and keep it topped up

Turn off any underfloor heating near the tree, or place a mat underneath it

Cut trees should last about four weeks inside.

Oxford Mail:

Jo Cochrane's tree

If you have a living tree in a pot, display it in a cool room.

Bring it indoors as late as possible, preferably the weekend before Christmas.

Living trees should not be in the house any longer than 12 days.

Local councils often offer Christmas tree collection services, so they can be picked up and recycled after Christmas.