Residents have mocked a threadbare Christmas tree in a seaside town which they say looks like it has ‘been on the fat jabs’.
The 16-foot tree in Rhyl, North Wales has been labelled a ‘Temu tree’ in a jab relating to the cut-price online retailer.
Another local joked that they had seen ‘bigger branches’ being dragged by dogs.
Every year the town council puts up a Christmas tree on the High Street, which is then decorated and lit up at a switch-on event before December.
In previous years the town has held an impressive display on a large and healthy tree in the town centre.
However ahead of the turning on of the Christmas lights this Saturday, residents have blasted the ‘skinny’ appearance of this year’s Norwegian Spruce.
They have described it as a symbol of shrinkflation amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Council chiefs have blamed nature for leaving the tree ‘gappy’ ahead of the festive season.
Residents have criticised the threadbare tree which has been put up on the High Street in Rhyl
Rhyl Town Council said ‘things don’t always grow perfectly,’ adding that each year they are ‘somewhat at the hands of nature in terms of what grows, how and when’.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) also warned that trees may be shorter and more ‘gappy’ this year following two poor growing seasons.
Fundraiser Richard Kendrick, of Helping Homeless North Wales, said he noticed the tree looked much slimmer than in previous years.
Mr Kendrick, who will spend the coming weeks by the tree collecting, donations added: ‘It’s the same height but it’s not as robust or developed,’ he said. ‘It just looks so thin.
‘I think the council should be doing better by the people of Rhyl. They should be looking at what they are buying before they pay for it, not just accepting whatever they’re given.
‘I know it’s hard for the council. If they spend too much on a tree, they’re criticised for wasting money; if they spend too little they get told off as well. They can’t win.
Richard can see at least one added benefit for the council. ‘It won’t need as many lights this year,’ he said. ‘So they should save a bit on electricity.’
The town’s Christmas lights switch-on event, in the High Street, is on Saturday, November 22.
Rhyl Town Council said it is aware of remarks about the resort’s ‘skinny’ tree.
Father Christmas pictured with the tree in Rhyl from 2024 decorated with Christmas lights
A spokesperson said: ‘Rhyl Town Council has always favoured a real Christmas tree, particularly given our commitment to reducing plastic use where possible.
‘However, like all things in nature, the size and style of trees and plants cannot always be guaranteed, and things don’t always grow perfectly.
‘Although we do send our suppliers an idea of what we would like to see, we are all somewhat at the hands of nature in terms of what grows, how and when.
‘The British Christmas Tree Growers Association had already warned this year would be a difficult one for those looking for the ‘perfect’ Christmas tree as the 2024 growing season was particularly wet, followed by an intense dry period. This has hampered growth leading to trees which are not as ‘full’ as in previous years.
‘The association itself has referred to this year’s trees as ‘gappy’ and for people not to expect trees which are as bushy as normal.
‘But that shouldn’t make them any less impactful or detract from the joy of a real Christmas tree – it is worth noting that the festive lights are not yet switched on, and that can make a difference.’