UK's 10 ugliest Christmas trees including worst 'of all time' - full list

07 December 2023 , 08:59

458     0

The UK's 'worst ever' council Christmas trees have been unveiled in a list which would make the Grinch proud (Image: Devon Live WS)

The crowds went mild for these lacklustre festive firs erected by different UK councils who may have been looking to make a saving too far.

The UK's worst town centre Christmas trees have been unveiled in a list which does little to spark the yuletide spirit. From barren spruces without even any lights, to tired looking artificial jobs which more resemble a painted traffic cone than a Nordmann fir, these centrepieces would likely make Santa do a full 180.

It comes as the tree in the centre of Devon town Ottery St Mary was branded the nation's worst of all time. With its gangly branches and sad pieces of tinsel which more resemble a turkey carcass on Boxing Day than a bountiful spruce, the town's efforts with its 2017 festive display drew derision from locals who slammed it as "pathetic".

It comes as this year's centrepiece in London's Trafalgar Square was met with ridicule from people claiming it looked "dead" and "jaded". The tree, which is gifted each year as a tradition from Norway as a thanks for Britain's assistance during World War II, left many underwhelmed.

A Christmas card this ain't - Tylesdley, Greater Manchester's efforts in 2018 proved a true festive flop (Alison Cottriall)

Ottery St Mary's from 2017 has been dubbed Britain's worst of all time (Devon Live WS)

Veronika Kusak, director of company Pines who supply trees, said the firm was only too aware of how important it was to get that annual show of celebration just right. “It’s a monumental job organising the tree and other decorations for a town centre or landmark building which will often mean a great deal to the residents,” Veronika told Devon Live, who compiled the fun list.

Lindsay Lohan glows in ultra rare public appearance with family at Fashion Week

“But it’s not just what it means on an emotional level - a fabulous Christmas tree attracts shoppers and visitors, all of whom spend money and bring a vital boost to the local economy. Ordering a tree like this is very different to organising one for your home.

Crosby's efforts were more reminiscent of a loo brush than a tree

Camborne's tree in Cornwall was dubbed an 'upside down Cornetto' until its star was then stolen

“There is so much more to consider in terms of location, size and variety that will give the best results. And for those who want a living tree it is doubly important to liaise with experts to ensure the tree grows in a way that creates the effect we have all come to expect from a Christmas tree. In this situation you cannot underestimate the value of bringing in people who have specialised over many years in growing trees.”

Newry's Christmas tree didn't pull its weight with the lights

Full list of the UK's worst Christmas trees:

• Hattersley, Manchester - Less is never more. It’s this year’s latest howler and the worst with its skinny lacklustre branches. Dedicated care would have given this tree fuller branches.
• Grimsby - Go big or go home. Residents hit the nail on the head in 2018 when they said they had a bigger one at home.
• Tylesdley Greater Manchester. A true festive flop from 2018. Drooping the colour was never a good idea as this tree sparked residents to say their tree looked “half-dead” thanks to its droopy branches.
• Crosby - Slim seasonal pickings in 2019 as this tree was widely criticised for its lack of horizontal impact. A tree simply has to look fulsome.

• Ottery St Mary’s in Devon Someone should have twigged it would take more than shiny baubles to disguise this ugly tree from 2017.
• Muswell Hill London - It's Tiny Tim not tiny tree that sums up the best of Christmas. Barely peaking over the barrier put up to protect it even the tree itself looked embarrassed back in 2018.
• Cardiff - All that glitters is not gold even at Christmas as Cardiff was forced to apologise in 2016 over its alternative to a real tree which was not as big as crowds expected it to be and was late for the Christmas lights switch on after being shipped from China.

• Camborne - Just one Cornetto, give me a tree. In 2017 Camborne in Cornwall hit the wrong note with its modern conical structure lampooned as an “upside-down Cornetto” - did not even make it to Christmas Day after it was repeatedly vandalised and had its star stolen. A year later it was replaced with a traditional spruce.
• Walsall - How many workmen does it take to fix a tree - six in Walsall, apparently! One expert here would have solved the problem of the town’s 2023 tree.
• Newry - Makeover magic. At least Newry stepped up and gave its tree a makeover to answer calls from residents who had labelled it bland in 2017

Lewis Clarke