The World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree

A giant redwood at the National Trust’s Cragside estate has been officially recognised as the world’s tallest living Christmas tree. Standing 44.7 metres (147 feet) high, the tree dwarfs the Angel of the North and has been a striking feature of the landscape since it was planted in the 1860s.

To meet the criteria set by Guinness World Records, the redwood was required to display two distinct types of festive decoration. In response, the National Trust adorned the tree with more than 1,300 Christmas lights and two large purple bows.

The National Trust said the decoration of the redwood was a carefully planned operation carried out using a cherry-picker, with three people taking two days to complete the work. Each bulb was individually checked before being draped and secured vertically, a method designed to distribute weight evenly and avoid placing unnecessary strain on the tree.

The world record-breaking tree will feature in BBC Two’s Christmas Treasures of the National Trust, airing on Friday, December 19. The programme provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of festive preparations across the Cragside Estate, with the house’s interior decorations drawing inspiration from the Servants’ Ball of 1894.

Christmas at Cragside runs until Sunday, January 4, 2026. Admission is £15 for adults, £7.50 for children and £37.50 for families, with general opening hours from 11am to 3pm.

Photography thanks to @jonarcher33