THE countdown to Christmas is on and for those wanting a real tree to decorate there are plenty to pick from at Stribers Farm at Haverthwaite.

The business is owned by J H Barker & Son and has been running for three generations.

From opening day on November 23, the Christmas Tree farm will be open every day until Christmas.

You will find a range of trees in all sizes from just 3ft tall to the towering height of 30ft.

The farm began selling Christmas trees to local people in the 1970s.

The Mail: The farm has been selling trees for over 50 yearsThe farm has been selling trees for over 50 years (Image: Stribers)

At first, they sold only a few on the Ulverston market stall but then more people wanted their own real tree, so the family started selling trees out of the yard at the farm.

Becky Barker said selling the Christmas Trees has become an important part of the year after the tradition started with her grandfather Harry Barker, who passed it on to his son Malcolm Barker and then to her.

Throughout the year the farm focuses on beef and sheep but it has become a popular destination for people to visit at this time of year and choose their own tree.

She said: “We sell between 1,500-2,000 a year but we restock and plant more every year. We sell them all over the South Lakes. Some even go to Yorkshire and Lancashire or even the top of Cumbria.

The Mail: Stribers offers five varieties of Christmas treeStribers offers five varieties of Christmas tree (Image: Stribers)

“We take great joy and care in tending to our trees and take pride in doing so. Families come for a day out to the Christmas tree farm. We love seeing happy faces of the people that come and experience picking their tree.”

Harry is still 'highly involved' and makes wreaths, said Becky.