The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) has launched its 15th annual competition to find the UK’s best Christmas tree grower.

The winner will earn the right to deliver an outdoor Christmas tree to stand outside 10 Downing Street this December.

The event covers five categories (pine, fir, spruce, container grown and wreaths) and each finalist can submit two of any one species per category. The trees, which must be 1.8m to 2.2m in height, will be scored on foliage, colour, shape and marketability.

A Champion Wreath award will also be presented. The winner’s decorated wreath  will take up pride of place on the door of No 10.

The winners will be decided at the BCTGA Competition Day on October 30 at Bridge End Forestry, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire.

The competition is a popular fixture with growers. “It’s always a wonderful sight to see the winning grower’s tree outside the most famous door in the country,” said BCTGA secretary Harry Brightwell.

Last year’s overall winner was Mike Craig of Garrocher Tree Farm in Newton Stewart, Scotland, who delivered a 22ft Nordmann Fir to No 10.

Hundreds of garden centres source their Christmas trees from BCTGA growers.


Above: Mike Craig, last year's champion, delivers his tree to No.10.