The Christmas adverts are out, the nights are drawing in, and the more organised among us might be starting to think about preparing for the festive season. But if you’re already planning the perfect Yuletide tableau for your living room, brace yourself for some not particularly glad tidings, because this year could see Britain beset by a Christmas tree shortage.
A chunky evergreen conifer, decked out in a mix of tasteful baubles, family heirlooms or kids’ art and craft projects, has been a mainstay of Christmas in the UK ever since the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, kickstarted the trend, bringing the tradition over from his native Germany (it had previously enjoyed a brief vogue when King George III’s wife Queen Charlotte – yes, the one who’s been reimagined in high camp period drama style in Bridgerton and its spin-offs – had one installed in her palace).
The unpredictable weather has dried out this year’s stock (Getty)
But this summer’s spate of back-to-back heatwaves,
