Leading ‘treetailer’ The Christmas Forest is aiming to plant its 300,000th tree in Africa this year thanks to its 13-year partnership with Tree Aid.

The Christmas Forest, which has 10 pop-up stores in London and delivers its famous trees nationwide, has raised more than quarter of a million pounds for the charity and planted 258,443 trees in some of the poorest parts of the world over the last 13 years.

It has always maintained a target of 300,000 donations by 2020.

Boss Josh Lyle said the firm believes that Christmas is a time for giving and their customers love the fact that they can help others by doing something so simple.

“We’re extremely proud of our partnership with Tree Aid,” he said. “I know the work our team and customers have done over the past decade has had a huge impact on communities in Africa but it’s also had an impact on us here in the UK, too.

“At Christmas time, people tend to feel a moral duty to do something for the less fortunate and supporting Tree Aid is a perfect way for busy families to do that at what can be quite a hectic time.

“This year more than ever we all need to look out for one another and do our bit to help those in need, this initiative makes it so easy for our customers to give to a good cause while going about their daily lives.

“We’ve always had our sights set on 300,000 tree donations by 2020 and we’re really close to meeting our target. Thank you so much to all of our loyal customers who have helped us get to this point and for those considering supporting the campaign this year!”

Tree Aid’s Melanie Knight said: “The generous donations Tree Aid has received from The Christmas Forest over the last 13 years has enabled thousands of people living in poverty in African’s drylands to transform their lives.

“Growing trees in Africa means a host of things – it’s food, vitamins and nutrients all year round, it’s money from selling tree produce, it’s enriching the soil and making the land more fertile for crops to grow and so much more.

“The work companies like The Christmas Forest is doing now will make a difference for generations to come.”

The Christmas Forest stores open across London from November 17 or you can order your tree online now for delivery across the UK christmasforest.co.uk.