By Sohaib Shams
Britain faces a Christmas tree shortage this year after record summer heatwaves and El Nino-driven autumn storms damaged crops, growers warn.
Heatwaves devastate young saplings
The Met Office declared summer 2026 the hottest on record, with back-to-back heatwaves causing severe drought stress. Oliver Combe of York Christmas Trees said it was the first time in 40 years they lost newly planted trees. James Wallis and Ruth of Sutton Hall Farm near Lewes lost around 20,000 two-year-old trees in a single block, predicting a 30% smaller harvest. A late May frost compounded losses.
Drought and poorly timed rain worsen damage
Dry weather hindered nutrient uptake, leaving surviving trees stunted and sparse. Peter Bradley of Mid Ulster Garden Centre explained that prolonged dry spells caused needle desiccation and stunted growth. Most UK growers rely on rainfall, not irrigation. Autumn El Nino brought excessive rain and gale-force winds just before harvest, waterlogging fields, hampering machinery, and increasing needle drop and fungal damage.
Long-term impact on future crops
A Nordmann fir takes eight to ten years to reach popular height, meaning this year's harvest endured a decade of volatile climate. The stressed young trees now maturing could affect supplies into the 2030s. Some farmers are shifting planting to autumn and investing in irrigation to adapt.
Advice for buyers
Experts advise delaying purchase until early December, when frosts help trees last longer. Combe recommends treating trees like cut flowers: trim base, keep watered, avoid radiators. Artificial trees remain an alternative.
