A fine selection of the bad and ugly Christmas trees spotted this festive season.
During the festive season I've been engaged in discussion and competition with Marc Bazeley and Dan Paynton as to who has seen the worst Christmas Tree on their travels.
![Christmas tree in Stockport Christmas tree in Stockport](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikitNA1zgh_M-E4byny0TD91Q7f4ZZwCJ3YjVJyMiigWNcFWBbVpefmn469__9Dk9yh8r6D3_WCWmSZoSSFSDsid-kxrWj_dpE3a0yldwOi03O7pMFdWUAzIg2HlHw2YQGJwIU/s320/Merry+November+the+9th+from+Stockport.jpg) |
The Christmas tree that started the spotting - on a back street in Stockport. On the 9th of November |
Among the dregs and dross of what passes for seasonal decorations we've noticed some common themes, most notably the erection of metal railings imprisoning the tree. Some of these barricades have also carried signs bearing that most traditional of greetings 'WARNING DANGER OF DEATH'. And while we may scoff at that message, at least the trees seen with that sign have at least had lights put on them!
So, after not much consideration our top three worst Christmas Trees of 2016 are as follows
In Chorley Marc found this delight.
![Christmas tree in Chorley by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Chorley by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxtfZy0PEdCa0gEuAqeTj08hbYLclxyjwIkfiZLDzt6nn9FWLljY1mA0Z1859L9ucw-V69ihb3VmuxxhMoUwWClrUDLcFLcc73RncG302cge_yBCJ2DfcSEAavF08ls8mQW9K/s320/Christmas+Tree+in+Chorley+by+Marc+Bazeley+December+2016.jpg) |
The tree of Christmas past by the look of it |
In Chale, near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight Dan snapped this beauty.
![Christmas tree in Chale near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight by Dan Paynton Christmas tree in Chale near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight by Dan Paynton](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9IAKn3fAHXTfN5Qx3H8DU8YCo7Ir50ifXVrJm0Ry2zdTTK6hU34bK4QvO9jN0FOwwF7toPjCvmmqTX3WNv7_rSWx4qPCeLAo5Bi_vlIsP1v1DbwONDE67ztlzCy8j-mqfw2A/s320/Chale+near+Ventnor+Isle+of+Wight+Christmas+Tree.+By+Dan+Paynton+December+2016.jpg) |
I think you'll agree this sums up Christmas perfectly |
Dan quite liked the look of this sorry affair I spotted in Cheadle Hulme's Oak Meadow.
![Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9QxnWlYVKAWKpcYgg9CpNNBaYZLqBsAdfu60ZUh8xAfN3XGHGEQ950LoDmKojlRcK9uCHNbwgrxFZbO7fvHQIqtGtiiwXX_JFmte0sPsbMbIb7eQxOD6aD6IRULpHhSMI2B2/s320/Christmas+Tree+in+Oak+Meadow+Cheadle+Hulme+December+2016.jpg) |
Lots of barriers |
The best of the rest...
Not a bad tree per se, but while in Bolton I had to frame the photo like this to make it as ludicrous as possible.
![Christmas tree in Bolton Christmas tree in Bolton](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvET-7hNO65m6ppnYKGAScIHGAn7tvZ-A923hOCGVPyY1Em1AlcHFRgLfDe812RKeX6HvcsYBtksRsi-eCEsekkaSun_ioQPev_S_EOTY4VrRYEAjk7PhwYpoSPqM0eeshoHM/s320/Bolton+Christmas+Tree+near+Ice+Rink+211216+%25283%2529.JPG) |
Nothing says Christmas like some portaloos |
And speaking of ludicrous I have no idea what was going on with this 'tree' in Stockport!
![Christmas tree in Stockport Christmas tree in Stockport](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bBEKMzn29vkJhEAJzsQulqQ-cf6UTauU1Ur1LxE3_yN-FGjSP_5pNlCj4YEK37Mt1oeb6ZYZBPPIEcaF3hjCfEx0JO78-Ir5QAUJybBlx0n7vDojfg5m1pCUUByKftHPCqUy/s320/Christmas+Tree+on+St+Petersgate+in+Stockport+131216+%25282%2529.jpg) |
Interesting use of some street furniture |
A selection of the others spotted by members of the newly formed Awful Tree Spotters (ATS) club.
![Christmas tree in Adswood Christmas tree in Adswood](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqREd0iri_KX0F8wCSptq7TOwpgfnr4Zn9SDg-VHStB_tkAoqeOib3suTeqx2Nre0tpz_DHCm-jnE4G8LpPH0os2rs_b3iW2QQJkhLYwhmN0obLIQbxqzygzrPK922OM2hew3/s320/Adswood+Local+Centre+Christmas+Tree+December+2016.jpg) |
Another railing, sorry Christmas tree, in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. This one is in Adswood Local Centre |
![Christmas tree in Askam by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Askam by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpjHF4fsrocyl64Zvv5r4DfayhyPVKeeTbo0DjKeoPjeQNN4TunO7lL_ZVisNBJKJ_DUeC5Fu3s1eFDsaW8tGaB7z6z48Rgok54uEyOdd09vHMdOoHnL6D0tIgt4IZf_n85-I/s320/Askam+Christmas+Tree+November+2016+by+Marc+Bazeley.jpg) |
Marc's local Christmas tree in Askam. Glitzy |
![Christmas tree in Barrow in Furness by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Barrow in Furness by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX1DfEOMTtR5kfjp7MKsigODOGWUy_qet4oV_fm2wMEg3vT7FBAw65qxKxwgBLAJr5sqTApo1lxZNr7MJfp73ju-rPKkPQ1H93lOSH4c_Wkf_IO9Vp1InXz8hcrg_qPjwWvrq/s320/Barrow+in+Furness+Christmas+Tree+November+2016+by+Marc+Bazeley+1.jpg) |
A Christmas tree in Barrow in Furnow. It doesn't look real |
![Christmas tree in Barrow in Furness by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Barrow in Furness by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqwHIdLlrqx-vdW5W1QyhTYAlCloNlwlNUuXWunrJkCTt_7P-9xfc-QbYyAg7E3IvI_lOeJE-UT2q8gCjR1HOiJtHCm11TytdYeZLM8BgnM3S9VKT6AvTcZtIP56zxVQ8EVVR/s320/Barrow+in+Furness+Christmas+Tree+November+2016+by+Marc+Bazeley.jpg) |
Neither does this one |
![Christmas tree in Bramhall Christmas tree in Bamhall](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo7xsfGyqKp2Nc7MsAe6WFAf3TkjS9V6rfWgJCZf2Hspc6fohO6uZWwRPVu3sMNve6NQ_D16DYya377qJ7qRbQ74zhyphenhyphenETBJPFXBelTeTQTwcjhta4HzWRNglkaikv4RAR2_3d/s320/Bramhall+Stockport+Christmas+Tree+December+2016.jpg) |
This Christmas tree on a roundabout in Bramhall in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport looks like it's had a bit too much of the Christmas spirit |
![Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dXs5fCLx3umTaZBu4XmUxw-gEZiK1yESTFhxhkaOxcAvoG4j7CYromzNzDtIlKKsETtH58542XLlnOk6R6XVWzj4uzOGUomJLxCZqvEPoT5zKooBo9h3TX9uEk40lQeSUOuY/s320/Cheadle+Hulme+Christmas+tree+November+2016+Councillor+Lane.jpg) |
One of the first we spotted pop up in an odd location. Plugged into the street light too |
![Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCZj1uu3YaXIxUjXk9Q3tWLzZ1xaiWNUE8oOXaRCLmjEiCCQvfHbciZ8KsZzmMDmlCnYNOJ9LQlOAbEnddu-IT5XsR-Aq7kLTFgPdrnKgt1sM7IZoKWDMsuREOO_rs2W0Zbu9/s320/Christmas+Tree+Cheadle+Hulme+November+2016+1.jpg) |
One of the DANGEROUS Christmas trees in Cheadle Hulme |
![Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme Christmas tree in Cheadle Hulme](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFxZzOCh3n4yV3yf6cz_5bsz3y_V0FEqtbEaQRNjUaTD_xErL2IZLJo2AZ0AQ4aqd31wx_uMrQUsgyGWFR-E2sx7tv11p8evImCulLjpEFXkS-AEyrU1ZMdlyg1jKuZi-80nB/s320/Christmas+Tree+Cheadle+Hulme+December+2016.jpg) |
The little brother of the electrical Christmas tree above |
![Christmas tree in Handforth Christmas tree in Handforth](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvU8HxjbNjc09-y__JTiOjjJUyLTzV6yTEil2uijsu-eg4ss8wMi8TpqR_UdvYYvOtSVtpfWHyfEh0ho2ILibzkFhj3DTmlwBZnrcDXnFBNkI5pHXcKaOJf7HKmHkl-90Mujl/s320/Handforth+Christmas+Tree+November+2016.jpg) |
The dark tree of Handforth |
![Christmas tree in Ipswich Christmas tree in Ipswich](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHqOWjO7NiFzldaavmDCb7opeJJmuxhxRVdK2p9ToLqlAZ74qREIcLY0JIEFd8Q3q5KUYIaaSlXI83IK-auAvlWXkSTztotEc50EXohfWrU4zIW1-UA9u8i78P-BFsYeRub_f/s320/Ipswich+Market+Christmas+Tree+December+2016.jpg) |
Ipswich Market's Christmas tree is bright. But it's also almost mostly hoarding |
![Christmas tree in Wellingborough by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Wellingborough by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh09AomfB81L9U2Va0yqtTqSUObIUy_yw7AiU-vjkHliQCLLt-bQnZVp22AO3h5Mn378PIoBxZxoi_CH4S1WNYVVRDn_ZN0NBkjhIRmx5LNVyjZWXD4vMgblMgQga4VtpyBExD/s320/Wellingborough+Christmas+Tree+December+2016+by+Marc+Bazeley.jpg) |
Wellingborough's effort is a bit of a spit and sawdust affair |
![Christmas tree in Newport on the Isle of Wight by Dan Paynton Christmas tree in Newport on the Isle of Wight by Dan Paynton](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhTRCMLezxjxnuK4gtqqtcsNbkqibwpDElGFBULER9Z_dj4v9-gUyQIjOfCiByW0Ae3R5WpRvIzvcx646FleJgkS696JqXIvcEk1Fwxq0-26z0m0WaawTQFbCjDMoKDhzkYNr/s320/Newport+Isle+of+Wight+by+Dan+Paynton+December+2016+1.jpg) |
The Christmas tree in Newport on the Isle of Wight looks a little bit lost |
![Christmas tree in Northampton by Marc Bazeley Christmas tree in Northampton by Marc Bazeley](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBpIr8zg74SbJxPDoodyx8Gc1AWU9mY29y9BT7ep6XKoVECmskHMsL7_xA0tPCbY_2nYCpunfLNoZACm8UtTQWznmxGEcZYjE0qEciEBm_ylYbo7d3dbNyPc1voxrmL46BPlh/s320/Northampton+Christmas+Tree+December+2016+by+Marc+Bazeley.jpg) |
Northampton's Christmas tree is a big 'un. No decorations though |
![Christmas tree in Stockport Christmas tree in Stockport](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvmBV1B_SMjEKNn2z3oVewcszIMa7pLZKZdKHvK5gyCpzIn7u90p6a9ZRM40hlCGuyayrMUwR_xY1qDIL2uQ8ZEeBW_5gJML5HiEUKmF7lvyDewqBPuG3sJPiqb0yTM3Rbejl/s320/Stockport+Christmas+tree+November+2016.jpg) |
I spotted Stockport's Christmas tree just before it was lit |
Emily spotted a couple of Christmas trees while in Vienna, Austria. However they don't count as they're actually nice.
![Christmas tree in Vienna, Austria by Emily Gottfried Christmas tree in Vienna, Austria by Emily Gottfried](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHM-SM4sRbJQ6HMx1x91dR9s8G4G8KAlArRKPbvMHfAr4YG4GZwNyyWzdSRnikU7bn9MCNizg9ALim7gEfFvnv52yXZ-yzzqHStuhJAPFXjQlRLeRKteyCm73wPn_SmDeGDLx/s320/Swarovski+Christmas+Tree+in+Vienna+Austria+by+Emily+Gottfried+December+2016.jpg) |
Elegance and class |
![Christmas tree in Vienna, Austria by Emily Gottfried Christmas tree in Vienna, Austria by Emily Gottfried](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9kUnNJvIDEnPJ1ycbtGqAK23sGDBJTRt0aeor4_fZ8OksNQNm2CJZ3OjJt8CQNDBiIzTq9abeMSXcxBpOGVrULLGgiVOlP05lZjIylwfqPl-4FBMhAI0Y3xMr57m52X3PyRH/s320/Christmas+Tree+in+Vienna+Austria+by+Emily+Gottfried+December+2016.jpg) |
A little over the top on the decorations. But better than nothing |
And while it's not a Christmas tree I'd like to finish this post with this lonesome decoration on the seafront in Felixstowe.
Related blog posts:
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Christmas Trees