21 November 2025
‘Superstar’ spruce heading to Westminster
A beautiful 40ft (12m) Sitka spruce tree is embarking on a 330-mile journey south from Forestry England Kielder Forest, bringing a taste of northern Christmas cheer to the heart of the capital.
Once it arrives, the decorated tree will stand outside the Houses of Parliament, at the foot of Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower for the duration of the festive season. –
You might think that finding a suitable tree from the 150 million that grow in England’s largest forest would be a simple task but it’s one the Forestry England team take very seriously. The search began earlier this year, with foresters carefully monitoring a shortlist over the summer months before selecting this year’s specimen.
Richard Cooper, Beat Forester at Forestry England said:
“It has to be perfect, we really want to showcase the best of Kielder at Westminster. It’s a lot of responsibility to choose this tree so we take special care to find a lovely bushy specimen that looks good from every angle. Sitka spruce aren’t often chosen for home Christmas trees as they can be quite spiky but it’s ideal for civic displays where it really provides some Christmas magic.”
It's no small job to safely transport such special cargo. As well as measuring around the height of a four-storey building, it weighs approximately three tonnes, making it a challenge to safely transport into the centre of London.
Whilst Forestry England has provided a tree from Kielder to the capital for over 20 years, this one carries special significance. 2026 marks the centenary of Kielder’s first plantings, with a full year of celebrations planned to highlight the forest and wider work of Forestry England. Refurbishment works are currently taking place to the forest’s iconic Kielder Castle, which is expected to open next summer as a hub from which visitors can explore Kielder’s nature, dark skies and outdoor trails.
Richard adds:
“It’s a real privilege to be responsible for this area. As foresters we’re always looking ahead to make sure we’re planting the best mix of species that can not only provide sustainable timber for the country, but also provide a mosaic of habitats for wildlife.
Notes to Editor
- Images are available on request. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 313 million visits in 2024/25. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
Media contact:
Jonny Winter (he/him)
Marketing & Communications Manager
North England
Forestry England
m: 07551094332