Christmas as we know it is under threat due to a tree shortage, according to experts.
GardeningExpress.co.uk is warning families they may have to pay significantly more for their trees than ever before this Christmas after record summer temperatures are leading to reduced crops. It is believed the record temperatures experienced across the UK and much of Europe combined with many weeks without significant rainfall has meant difficult growing conditions for Christmas tree farmers.
The heatwave led many trees to shed leaves early this year, in what some commentators described as a "false autumn". Evergreen Christmas trees stopped growing due to the heat stress and many plantations that couldn’t irrigate experienced significant losses of growing stock.
