At Boomkwekerij Jan van Vulpen in Groenekan you pick your own Christmas tree from the fields at the back of the nursery. The trees range from 50 to 60 cm potted saplings to 300 to 350 cm specimens, with or without a root ball. Varieties include Nordmann, Omorika, blue spruce and the traditional green spruce.
The Van Vulpen family has run the nursery since 1918, with Jan taking over as the fourth generation in 1976. The nursery lies on a lane with old trees and farms near Utrecht, and perennials, shrubs and trees line the path in from the gate. Alongside the Christmas trees, the nursery grows deciduous trees such as beech, birch, linden, liquidambar and plane, conifers including Thuja and various spruces, and shrubs including hydrangea, rhododendron, lilac and viburnum. There are also fruit trees in standard, half-standard and bush forms of apple, pear, plum and cherry, climbers such as clematis, honeysuckle and wisteria, and a range of perennials. Soil products including potting compost, garden peat and organic fertiliser are sold here too.
Trees and shrubs bought at the nursery can be delivered and planted in your garden. The nursery also carries out garden maintenance, including pruning, planting and fertilising.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 08.00 to 17.00. The nursery is closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays, throughout August, and on all Saturdays in July. The entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
The nursery stocks a wide range of trees and plants, including Christmas trees and half-standard apple trees. The staff are friendly and take time to advise on the right choice for your garden. When you buy a tree, they can deliver and plant it for you a few days later. The Christmas trees are well priced and come with their roots, so they can go back into the ground after the holidays. Fresh eggs are also for sale in the barn.