The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) has announced the winners of its annual competition, determining which growers will supply the Christmas tree and wreath for 10 Downing Street. York Christmas Trees from Wigginton has won the champion tree award, while Santa Trees from Liskeard, Cornwall, secured the champion wreath title.

The Downing Street Christmas Tree

York Christmas Trees, a business run by Oliver Combe and his wife Kirstie, has been named “Christmas Tree Grower of the Year” by the BCTGA for the second time, having previously taken the top spot in 2020. As a reward, they will supply an 18ft (5.4m) Nordmann Fir to stand outside the Prime Minister’s official residence. According to The York Press, Oliver Combe expressed his pride, stating, “It is very rewarding to be recognised for producing a beautiful tree by your peers. Growing Christmas trees is a year-round labour of love that requires patience, dedication and expertise.” He added that each winning tree spends around eight years growing in the field and is carefully pruned by hand twice a year.

The Champion Festive Wreath

Santa Trees, a family business based in Liskeard, Cornwall, has been crowned “Champion Festive Wreath of the Year” for the third time. Owner Helen Edge, who runs the business with her husband Russell and parents Margaret and Ivor Dungey, described the achievement as an “amazing experience” and expressed delight at being able to take the wreath up to Downing Street and place it on the door. The Cornish Times reported that the judges look for precision, symmetry, colour, and craftsmanship. The handmade wreath, built around a 12-inch ring, needs to be “quite visual, nice and shiny and blingy” to stand out on the famous black door and be suitable for television appearances.

Competition Details and Other Winners

The annual competition, which has run every year since 1999, saw more than 100 trees entered this year and was hosted in Barcombe, East Sussex. Russell Parkins, chair of the BCTGA, highlighted the significant effort involved, noting that a champion tree represents “10 years of work to get it where it is today.” Welford Christmas Tree Farm in Northamptonshire was named runner-up for champion Christmas tree grower and will supply the trees displayed inside No. 10 Downing Street. The BBC reported that winners receive the honour of having their tree and wreath displayed in December, along with a guided tour of the Prime Minister’s official office and residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which growers will supply the Christmas tree for Downing Street?

  York Christmas Trees from Wigginton, York, won the champion tree award and will supply the main outdoor Christmas tree.

• Who will provide the wreath for 10 Downing Street?

  Santa Trees from Liskeard, Cornwall, won the champion wreath title and will provide the wreath for the famous black door.

• How many times have the winners secured these honours?

  York Christmas Trees has won the tree award twice, and Santa Trees has won the wreath award three times.