British Christmas Tree Growers Association facts for kids
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association is the trade association for those who grow specialist Christmas Trees in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Membership is open to those who intend to grow or are growing trees for the Christmas market. Associate membership is available for those who provide goods and services to the Christmas Tree sector.
Members of the BCTGA cultivate trees specially for the Christmas festivities.
Annual Competition
The BCTGA holds an annual competition to find the best grower from their membership. Entries to the competition are divided into four categories; Pine, Fir, Spruce and Wreath. All trees must be between 1.8m and 2.2m in height. Each entrant is allowed up to two entries in any given category and the judges look for foliage, shape and marketability.
The competition awards a prize for 'Grower of the Year' and the winner is afforded the honour of providing their tree to be the Downing Street Christmas tree that year. The winner of the best wreath category also provides a wreath to be hung on the famous black door.
2020 Winners
- Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year – Oliver Combe, York Christmas Trees, North Yorkshire. Supplier of 2020 tree for 10 Downing Street
- Runner Up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year - Jon Baker, Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, East Sussex.
- Best Pine Winner – Michael Craig, Garrocher Tree Farm, Ayr, Scotland
- Best Pine Runner Up – David Brown, Infinity Christmas Trees, Herefordshire
- Best Spruce Norway Winner - Oliver Combe, York Christmas Trees
- Best Spruce Norway Runner Up - Neil Wright, Newsholme Christmas Trees, Goole, East Yorks
- Best Spruce Other Winner – Sarah Flamson, Cadeby Tree Trust, Warwickshire
- Best Spruce Other Runner Up – Andrew Ingram, Greenfield Partnership, Oxfordshire
- Best Fir Nordmann Winner- Jon Baker, Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, East Sussex.
- Best Fir Nordmann Runner Up – Andrew Stenton, Billingley Christmas Trees Ltd, Barnsley, South Yorks
- Best Fir Other Winner– Rory Young, Scottish Christmas Trees, Dumfries
- Best Fir Other Runner Up – Mr and Mrs RM Stanhope, Bishops Offley Christmas Trees, Stafford
- Best Container Grown Tree Winner – Andrew Stenton, Billingley Christmas Trees Ltd, Barnsley
- Best Container Grown Tree Runner Up – Hans Alexandersen, HA Trim, Guildford
Wreaths
- Champion Festive Wreath - Will and Ella Miles, Welford Christmas Tree Farm, Northampton.
- Best Natural Wreath Winner - Jeff Lynes, Newbury Christmas Tree Farm, Berkshire
- Best Natural Wreath Runner Up - Hans Alexandersen, HA Trim, Guildford
- Best Decorated Wreath Winner– Will and Ella Miles, Welford Christmas Tree Farm, Northampton
- Best Decorated Wreath Runner Up – Jeff Lynes, Newbury Christmas Tree Farm, Berkshire
Film
- Best Short Film Winner– Sholach Trees Ltd, Perthshire, Scotland
- Best Short Film Runner Up - Hans Alexandersen, HA Trim, Guildford
2009 winners
- Champion Grower – Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, Hastings, East Sussex
- Champion Wreath – Mindrin & Co Ltd, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway
- Best Pine - HA Trim, Cranleigh, Surrey
- Best Spruce – Goose Hill Farm, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
- Best Fir - Little Down Christmas Tree Farm, Hastings, East Sussex
See also
