British Growers Bring Christmas Magic to Downing Street

Britain’s seasonal spirit is glowing this week after a majestic 19-foot Norway Spruce was switched on outside 10 Downing Street — a festive gift to the nation from the country’s champion Christmas-tree growers.

The tree was supplied by the grower crowned British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) Champion Grower of the Year 2025, Cadeby Tree Trust, in Leicestershire. The tradition is a long-established one: each year, the winning grower earns the right to present a hand-selected tree and wreath to No. 10 and No. 11, offering the public a moment of festive pride in British horticulture.

This year’s spruce was carefully chosen for its shape, symmetry and strong needle retention — qualities that the BCTGA judges look for when selecting a tree worthy of the nation’s highest-profile doorstep. Standing tall against the backdrop of one of the country’s most recognisable buildings, it represents not just seasonal celebration but the year-round dedication of UK growers who cultivate thousands of Christmas trees across farms nationwide.

The ceremony, attended by members of the BCTGA and government representatives, served as a welcome reminder of the importance of domestic growers during a challenging economic period. With British horticulture under increasing pressure from rising costs and shifting market conditions, the sight of a homegrown spruce taking pride of place in Downing Street has offered a morale boost to growers and boosted public appreciation for locally grown, sustainable Christmas trees.

For growers across the UK — many of whom spend up to a decade nurturing each tree before it reaches maturity — the moment represents a collective triumph. And for the public, it brings a little extra sparkle to the season, showcasing the very best of British festive craftsmanship.