Are these the UK's most maligned Christmas trees?
A wonky Christmas tree that has been compared to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a pipe cleaner has been mocked by local residents.
The 12ft slender spruce, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, is the latest example from around the UK of trees to be criticised for not bringing quite enough cheer to the festive season.
Zoe Gough, 64, who works at a supermarket facing the tree - which has been placed in the middle of a roundabout - said her customers had plenty to say about the minimal decorations and wonky nature of it. She said: "I see it every day. Customers come in and see the tree and say 'What's that?' It's 'blink and you miss it'.
"People say it looks like a pipe cleaner. It's just there and it's wonky. I think it looks like it's had a bit too much to drink. The lights aren't very good on it. But it's made us laugh and it's better than nothing."
Social media users also picked apart the state of the fir, with one writing: “It is probably the worst Christmas tree in the whole of the UK.” Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, however, defended its choice, saying it was chosen to “minimise the impact on road users”. They said the tree, which was planted recently, is not an intentional Christmas tree but lights were added as “the community were keen to have light on it”.
The Stockport “pipe cleaner” is not the only Christmas tree to have raised eyebrows around the UK. Yahoo News UK rounds up some of the most maligned of 2023.
Wolverhampton
Residents in Willenhall, West Midlands, were feeling less-than-festive after a “skinny beanstalk” Christmas tree was unveiled last month. The spindly 20ft tree, which was put on the Lock Worker’s Memorial by a busy junction, was not decorated with tinsel or baubles and featured just a string of lights dangling from a few branches. Walsall Council defended the tree, saying they were using "more sustainable" firs and that illumination “is consistent with previous years”.
Kent
A Christmas tree in Deal, Kent, was compared to something bought from Poundland by furious locals. The tiny tree was put up last month but locals described it as “underwhelming” for its size and lack of decorations. Dover District Council admitted that the one they put up was not the one they had ordered and was set to be replaced.
Walsall
While impressive in stature, a 30ft Christmas tree put up in Walsall, West Midlands, was criticised for being “shabby” and for being installed with barely any lights on it. Locals described the tree as a “monstrosity” and an “embarrassment”. Walsall Council said it was trying to make a “number of savings” and were looking at the future funding of Christmas lights with corporate sponsors.
Hattersley
Tameside Borough Council’s Christmas tree was likened to a twig and branded a “disgrace” by disappointed locals. The 'living tree' in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, was slammed by residents who said it looked “half dead”. The council planted the festive fir outside a community hub in Stockport Road a few years ago, hoping it would grow and be enjoyed by residents for years to come – but it remains threadbare. A spokesman for the council said a cut tree was supplied for the Christmas lights switch on, while they were looking to replace the “living tree” with a different species.
Cambridgeshire
A “slapdash” and “embarrassing” wonky Christmas tree in March, Cambridgeshire, was so unpopular with locals that they called on the council to ask for a refund. The 30ft tree appeared to lean at an angle, with some residents questioning whether it was even safe to stand near. The state of the tree was even mocked by local police, who blamed a naughty elf for its condition. Inspector Morris from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s neighbourhood team said the elf “will not be granted bail” ahead of the Christmas lights switch on.
Yorkshire
Shoppers in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, were also disappointed with this year's tree, which they said had shrunk in size compared to last year’s centrepiece. Calderdale Council were quick to admit to the reduced size and said it was because they were standardising the height of Christmas trees to 20 feet to “ensure there’s some consistency in size of trees across the borough”.
