Christmas Trees in North Shields: Where to Buy and Recycle

North Shields has no Christmas tree farm of its own, but it is well served for real trees. There is a big DIY store at Middle Engine Lane, two discount supermarkets that sell netted firs each November, and a specialist yard a short drive north at Seaton Delaval. North Tyneside's only recycling centre is in the town too, which makes getting rid of the tree in January easier than in most places.

This guide covers where to buy, how to keep a tree fresh, and every way to recycle it. For the market on Northumberland Square, Santa and the Boxing Day dip, see our Christmas in North Shields guide.

Where to buy a real tree

B&Q North Shields

The largest choice in town is at B&Q North Shields on Middle Engine Lane, about ten minutes west of the centre along the Coast Road. B&Q sells real cut trees through December, Nordmann fir among them, in a range of heights, plus stands, lights and artificial trees. Stock varies from store to store, so check this branch on diy.com before heading over. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 8pm and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

Aldi, Hawkey's Lane, and Lidl, Preston Grange

Both discount supermarkets in town have sold real Nordmann firs in recent years as a limited seasonal line from late November. Aldi North Shields on Hawkey's Lane sells them as a Specialbuy in medium and large sizes, and in 2025 both were under £20. Lidl Preston Grange on Rake Lane has sold netted Nordmann firs at a similar price. Neither has announced its 2026 dates, and stock does not last long once the trees arrive, so keep an eye on their weekly offers from mid-November.

Edelweiss Christmas Tree Co., Seaton Delaval

If you want to pick from a proper tree yard, Edelweiss Christmas Tree Co. on Double Row at Seaton Delaval is around 15 minutes north of North Shields via the A192. It is a seasonal specialist selling cut and living trees, including a top grade it calls Emerald, with wreaths, garlands and loose foliage sold by the kilo for wreath makers. Very tall trees, over 12ft, have needed pre-ordering. It usually opens in the last week of November and has sold out early in previous years. The 2026 opening date has not been published yet, so check its Instagram page before setting off.

Choosing and caring for your tree

You will mostly find two types on sale. Nordmann fir is the long-lasting option, with soft, glossy needles that hold well in a warm house. Norway spruce is the traditional Christmas tree with the strongest scent, usually a little cheaper, but quicker to shed, so buy it closer to Christmas.

• Before you buy, pull a branch gently through your hand. A fresh tree loses very few green needles.
• At home, saw a couple of centimetres off the base so the trunk can take up water again.
• Stand it in water and top up the stand daily. A fresh tree drinks a lot in its first week.
• Keep it clear of radiators, open fires and log burners, and if you are not putting it up straight away, leave it outside in a bucket of water.

For a tree you can plant out in the garden afterwards, ask Edelweiss about its living trees.

Recycling your tree in January

St Oswald's Hospice Christmas Tree-cycle

The simplest option is the St Oswald's Hospice Christmas Tree-cycle, which collects real trees from homes across NE23 to NE30, covering all of North Shields. For January 2027 the hospice will collect between Monday 4 January and Saturday 23 January, or from Twelfth Night (Wednesday 6 January) if you would like to keep the tree up a little longer. The suggested donation is £15 per tree. Last January it collected 5,000 trees and raised close to £100,000, and in recent years slots have been fully booked within the first few days of January, so book early on the St Oswald's Tree-cycle page. The hospice also has a charity shop on Bedford Street.

The tip on Wallsend Road

North Tyneside's only household waste recycling centre is in North Shields, on Wallsend Road, NE29 7SH. Garden waste, including real trees, is accepted free of charge. It is for North Tyneside residents only and everyone needs an appointment, booked through the council's recycling centre page. Vans need a permit and there is no access on foot, so you will need a car to drop a tree off. The site opens from 8am every day except Christmas Day, and early-January slots fill quickly.

Your garden waste bin

North Tyneside's garden waste service is a paid subscription (£35 for 2026) and only runs from March to November. There are no collections over winter, so a tree cannot go out at the kerb in January. Subscribers can cut it up and keep the pieces for the first collection in the spring. See the council's garden waste page. The council has not announced a separate January tree collection, so check its website in December.

Artificial trees

An artificial tree you no longer want is worth offering to a community group, church hall or charity shop before it goes to the tip. Ask first, as not every shop has the room to take one.