A town council in Cambridgeshire has been forced to remove its newly installed Christmas tree after residents branded it an 'absolute disgrace' and a 'crap' festive offering.
Public Outcry Over 'Half Dead' Tree
The controversy erupted in Wisbech after the town council unveiled its Christmas centrepiece. The fir tree was met with immediate anger, with locals taking to social media to complain that it looked 'half dead or dying'. The criticism was so severe that Wisbech Town Council quickly acknowledged the issue on Facebook.
The council's clerk, Terry Jordan, confirmed that the original tree was delivered on Wednesday, November 6, 2025. Upon inspection, officials realised it had significant problems. "We realised there were some areas where there appeared to be some dead branches and gaps in the tree," Mr Jordan stated.
A Swift Replacement and a Climate Explanation
The council did not hesitate to demand a replacement from their supplier. "It's a simple case of when you order any goods that are not 100%, go back to the supplier," Mr Jordan explained. The supplier provided a new tree, a shorter 28-foot tall fir which the clerk described as a 'healthy specimen'.
According to the supplier, the poor condition of the original tree was linked to the year's weather. They claimed that the hot, dry weather had made it difficult for larger trees to get the necessary nutrients and water. "When we went back to the supplier, that's what they were saying, because of the long period of dry weather, trees have found it more difficult... and I think they said that applied to the larger trees," Mr Jordan reported.
Echoes of a Neighbouring Town's Festive Drama
This is not the first time a Cambridgeshire town has faced Christmas tree turmoil. In 2023, the nearby town of March made headlines with its own 'wonky' tree. Residents at the time compared it to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
One March resident, Kimberly Williams, 50, told the BBC: "The Italians have got the leaning tower of Pisa – March has now got the leaning tree of Christmas." While some, like Robert Moat, 64, were more forgiving, others on local Facebook groups were less lenient, calling their tree an 'embarrassment'.
The March Christmas Lights Committee, responsible for that tree, defended their position by explaining that they "did not physically choose the tree, having ordered it months ago," and that the final condition was down to the supplier and luck.
Thankfully for the residents of Wisbech, their council acted swiftly. With the new, healthier tree now in place, the council has confirmed they are happy with the festive replacement, hoping it will restore the town's Christmas spirit.
