A carpenter is hoping his ethical Christmas trees will solve the environmental dilemma of cutting down a tree.

Joost Taylor is behind Timbatree, based in Small Dole, near Steyning, which looks to give people a different option from fake plastic trees.

Brought up in a family of carpenters and decorators, Joost has been cutting, sanding and shaping wood since the age of 14.

He has a masters in economics, but gave up a career in London to follow his passion for carpentry ten years ago after an apprenticeship at Central Sussex College.

He said: “As a carpenter I do not like to see any tree go to waste, so at Timbatree we ensure all of our suppliers are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited and we take interest in the communities that supply the timber.

“A Timbatree doesn’t have the feel or look of a fake plastic tree – it truly is a beautiful statement.

“There are no nails, screws or needles – just pure timber – and our trees can be put up quicker than you can carve the turkey.”

After the festivities, Timbatree can be taken down in minutes and stored away neatly in its compact, recycled box, leaving no prickly pine needles embedded in carpets. Joost employs four people in the workshop, including manager Dan Carter, a carpenter he met at carpentry college in Brighton eight years ago, plus two apprentices. So far they have sold trees all over Europe, including in France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Romania as well as exporting them to Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, USA and Canada, and the Orkney Islands.

Timbatree is talking to eco-paint manufacturer Annie Sloan about a possible collaboration, as well as Planet Organic confirming that they will be using them as shop decorations this year and will sell them on their website.

Light company Cable and Cotton, based in Brighton, will also be using a tree for its displays. For more information see www.timbatree.co.uk