A Christmas tree with sagging branches and sparse decorations has been branded the ’embarrassing runt of the litter’ by furious locals in Mottram, Greater Manchester.
The wilting pine was planted by the council in 2014 in a move to be more environmentally-friendly and reusable.
However the poor pine, dubbed ‘Twiggy’, has come under fire from locals who have blasted its ‘sad-looking’ and ‘spindly’ browning branches.
Optimistic villagers try to add festive cheer by sprucing the tree up with garlands of tinsel and baubles.
But this year Storm Caroline scuppered their attempts leaving battered decorations and drooping branches in its wake.
A Christmas tree with sagging branches and sparse decorations has been branded the ’embarrassing runt of the litter’ by furious locals in Mottram, Greater Manchester
However the poor pine, dubbed ‘Twiggy’, has come under fire from locals who have blasted its ‘sad-looking’ and ‘spindly’ browning branches
After the tree was planted by Tameside Council a Facebook page was created to rally villagers together however posters have repeatedly pointed out how it has failed to flourish in the last three years – and claimed it has even deteriorated.
Villager Beccy Lane blasted the tree as being the ‘runt of the litter’.
Beccy said: ‘We all appreciate the value and benefits of a rooted tree in a public place.
‘I think the issue is more with the choice of tree which is sad-looking, spindly and doesn’t appear to have grown over the last two years.
‘A nice strong healthy looking pine would have been preferable to the ‘runt of the litter’ that has been foisted upon us.’
This year Storm Caroline scuppered their attempts leaving battered decorations and drooping branches in its wake
Villager Beccy Lane blasted the tree as being the ‘runt of the litter’
Crystal Davies said the tree’s colour had faded and that ‘Twiggy’ looked worse than it did last year.
Crystal said: ‘I genuinely think she looks worse this year than last.
‘Her branches are droopy and are going brown.’
Janet Law simply described the tree as ’embarrassing’ while Simon Paul Wilde commented on how Twiggy looked ‘dead’.
But in-keeping with the group founder’s vision some have commented on its ‘charming character’ and the hope it will flourish into a more impressive specimen.
Local Crystal Davies said the tree’s colour had faded and that ‘Twiggy’ looked worse than it did last year
Not all bad: Some locals claim the tree has charming character’ and the hope it will flourish into a more impressive specimen
Kim Ratcliffe said: ‘I think it’s looking better and it’s unique. Years to come it will be folklore.’
Rod Springthorpe still has faith that Twiggy will grow and has tried to encourage other group members to try and love it too.
He said: ‘Twiggy will grow to be a fine pine. Patience Mottronians, he’s alive and he’ll thrive.
‘All this negative thought, I hope comes to naught.
‘Our poor little tree is trying, he’s not dying. And he’ll rise to be a beautiful tree, just like our village.’