OUR
STORY
Every business has a beginning. Ours started with a trip to market.
In the late 1970s, our founder, Alex Theobald, was a hay and straw merchant travelling regularly to Welshpool market in Wales. One Christmas, using the money he had earned from selling, he decided to buy a backload of Christmas trees and take them back home to the Midlands.
By the time he’d sold them, those trees had paid for his Christmas.
So he did it again the following year. And the year after that.
What began as a seasonal opportunity quickly became something more. After several years of buying and selling trees, Alex took on an established plantation in Raglan, Wales. Before long, he made a bold decision—to stop conventional farming and turn our own farm in Cadeby into a Christmas tree plantation in the early 1980s, slowly turning the hay and straw business into a distant memory.
From those early days, planting around 15,000 trees a year, the business grew steadily—field by field, season by season. As demand increased, more land was brought into cultivation, and Cadeby Tree Trust began to establish itself as a serious name within the industry.
Today, we plant up to 250,000 trees annually, making us one of the largest growers and suppliers of high-quality Christmas trees in the UK.
ROOTED IN EXPERIENCE
With over four decades of experience, our headquarters in the heart of the country have become the destination for Christmas trees in the UK. Our network of plantations spans a majority of regions, helping to reduce tree miles and minimise our carbon footprint while ensuring exceptional freshness.
We are, first and foremost, growers. That is where the heart of our business lies.
By cutting out the middleman and supplying directly from grower to retailer, we ensure fresher trees, more competitive pricing and a responsive, flexible service throughout the busy Christmas season.
Alex’s passion and determination built the foundations of Cadeby Tree Trust. Following his passing in 2018, the business was entrusted to his children, Tom and Sarah, who have carried that legacy forward with the same energy and commitment.
Together, they continue to grow the business—honouring its roots while shaping its future.
Tom has grown up within the business, developing a deep, practical understanding of every stage of the process—from planting and cultivation through to harvesting and large-scale operations.
Now serving as co-director alongside his sister, he plays a key part in overseeing plantation management and contracting services, working closely with growers across the country and helping to shape the next generation of trees.
Meanwhile, Sarah brings a strong commercial perspective to the business, underpinned by her education in marketing and finance. With a clear understanding of both brand and business strategy, she has played a leading role in shaping the company’s direction beyond the field. In particular, she has spearheaded the development of The Christmas Cabin – more on which later - identifying an opportunity to better support retailers and building a venture that reflects the same standards of quality, practicality, and customer focus that define Cadeby Tree Trust. Her forward-thinking approach continues to strengthen the business, ensuring it not only grows, but evolves with the needs of the industry.
A FAMILY LEGACY
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
As the business has also evolved, so too has our role within the wider Christmas tree industry.
Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, we recognised that growing is only part of the journey. How trees are handled, processed, and prepared for market is just as important. This led to the development of Tree Tech, focused on improving efficiency in packing, netting, and handling, while supporting growers with machinery, parts, and servicing.
Alongside this, our understanding of the retail side of the trade led to the creation of our sister company, The Christmas Cabin. Built to support retailers, it provides everything needed to present and sell trees effectively—from stands and netting to display systems and essential equipment.
Together, these developments allow us to support the industry at every stage—from field to final sale—guided by the same commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
From planting and nurturing to harvesting, processing, and delivery, every stage is managed by our own team. Using our own yard and transport, we ensure trees reach our customers quickly—often arriving as fresh as the day they were cut.
Our commitment to quality, value, and service has made us the first choice for many retailers across the country.
WORK WITH US
Whether you are an established retailer, looking to start selling Christmas trees, or in need of expert contracting services, we’re here to help.
We offer bespoke packages tailored to your needs—and we’d be delighted to be part of your journey.
We look forward to hearing from you.