Christmas tree shortage set to hit UK after hottest ever summer as Britons warned they may miss out

UK set to face Christmas tree shortage after hottest ever summer as Britons warned they might miss out Growers have expressed fears over the long-term viability of cultivation in England following several scorching summers Sign up to the News Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us The UK is set to face a Christmas tree shortage after enduring its hottest summer on record, with Britons warned they may miss out on getting their hands on the festive staple. Growers nationwide have reported that scorching temperatures and prolonged drought killed off large numbers of young trees before they could establish themselves.

The losses have raised alarm not only about this season's crop but about supply for years ahead, given that Christmas trees typically require roughly eight years of growth before they are ready for sale. Oliver Combe, 57, a veteran of four decades at York Christmas Trees, described the season as exceptionally difficult for the industry. "For the first time ever we have had losses in what we planted last year," he told The Telegraph. Mr Combe, who was selected last month to provide the Downing Street Christmas tree, has already shifted to planting in autumn so that saplings can develop robust root systems ahead of what he now regards as unavoidable summer dry spells.

Despite this precaution, the relentless heat and aridity claimed approximately 2,000 of his 15,000 recently planted trees. "This year, we have had no proper rain since Easter," he said. The persistent dryness also hampered the ability of mature trees to take up fertiliser, potentially affecting their development and harvests further down the line. Growers nationwide have reported that scorching temperatures and prolonged drought killed off large numbers of young trees | GETTY Having previously chosen not to irrigate — preferring instead to let trees send their roots deeper in search of water — Mr Combe is now reconsidering that approach after several punishing summers in succession.

"We will look at irrigation now," he said, noting two ponds on his land that could serve as reservoirs. "We've got two ponds and hope they will hold enough water for when we need them." He pointed to a pattern of increasingly fierce summers stretching back several years. "The summer of 2018 was pretty extreme. We did think it was an exception before but very, very hot summers are becoming the norm," he said. CHRISTMAS - READ THE LATEST: Christmas market forced to cancel reindeer booking due to fears over animal rights protests Christmas market cancelled for SECOND year in a row as locals fume with council for refusing funding Father who painted Union Jack on house banned from dressing as Santa Claus and giving out presents England recorded its driest ever July, receiving a mere 5.6mm of rainfall | PA "In Yorkshire, we used to have drier Aprils and Mays but it seems to be drier for longer.

We all think 'oh, it will balance out over August', but one of my fields is still bone dry." England recorded its driest ever July, receiving a mere 5.6mm of rainfall, while the Met Office confirmed that this summer eclipsed 1976 as the hottest on record, with an average daily maximum of 21.3C surpassing the previous benchmark of 21C set half a century earlier. Mr Combe expressed concern about the long-term viability of Christmas tree cultivation in England and advised consumers to hold off buying until early December, when frost exposure helps a cut tree retain its freshness.

In East Sussex, the impact has been devastating for James and Ruth Wallis, who farm at Sutton Hall near Lewes. The couple saw 20,000 trees planted two years ago perish because of the extreme conditions. Mr Combe expressed concern about the long-term viability of Christmas tree cultivation in England | GETTY "The drought has made it harder for trees to absorb nutrients and some have turned yellow," Mr Wallis told the BBC. "The financial consequences are significant.

You invest a huge amount of time and effort into producing a quality tree, so it's very disappointing," Mrs Wallis added. Russell Parkins, who chairs the British Christmas Tree Association, acknowledged the strain on producers. "There are enough trees, but it's a challenge to keep them in good condition," he said. He noted that the industry is evolving its methods, with autumn planting becoming increasingly widespread and research into provenance selection helping to ensure British-grown trees can withstand shifting weather patterns.

"This expertise and long-term commitment shown by our members means consumers can continue to enjoy high-quality British-grown Christmas trees for many years to come," he said. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter News Kellogg's removes rice... from Rice Krispies due to 'changing weather conditions' News Houses of Parliament could face 'Notre Dame-style fire' as renovation costs skyrocket News Out-of-work tree surgeon fined after demanding to see 'white British person' at job centre News Schoolgirl, 12, killed after being hit by double-decker bus in horror crash 'while on lunchbreak' News MI5 will not face contempt of court charges despite admitting its evidence was a lie News Ann Widdecombe's house goes on sale just months after brutal murder News Yorkshire power station could host one of Britain's largest data centres in deal worth billions News 'Do you want beef with the devil?'

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