Thomas' Tricky Tree

"Don't ye know what a Christmas tree looks like? It's tall and green and pointy!"

- Duncan teasing Thomas

Thomas' Tricky Tree is the seventh episode of the tenth series.

Plot
It is Christmas time and the little narrow gauge engines are busy taking holidaymakers and goods. Thomas is on his way to the Wharf to collect the Christmas tree from Sir Handel for the Fat Controller in time for the Christmas party. However, upon arrival, Thomas cannot find it. Duncan asks Thomas if he is looking for something, so Thomas explains. Duncan cannot help but tease Thomas that he does not know what a Christmas tree looks like, making Thomas cross; he gets even more cross when Duncan suggests to Peter Sam that Thomas needs their help, which Thomas down-right refuses.

Thomas sets off to find the Christmas tree himself. First, he meets Sir Handel, who is about to explain that he has got the Christmas tree on his flatbed. But, Thomas interrupts him, jumping to the conclusion that Sir Handel (like Peter Sam and Duncan) is teasing him and wants to help him find the Christmas tree, leaving Sir Handel feeling confused.

Thomas carries on around the Wharf and meets Rusty in a warehouse, who asks Thomas if he needs help. Again, Thomas turns down Rusty's assistance. However, he begins to worry that he will not find the Christmas tree. In another warehouse, Thomas meets Skarloey, who asks if he needs help. Again, Thomas turns Skarloey down, not wanting to be teased by another little narrow gauge engine. Then, Thomas sees a flatbed with a green tarpaulin over it. Feeling excited, Thomas takes it, thinking that it is the Christmas tree that he has been looking for, but Skarloey is confused.

Thomas takes the flatbed out of the warehouse, but some frozen points get the better of Thomas, sending him into a siding. Thomas' flatbed crashes through the buffers and into the canal; but then, he realises how silly he had been when Skarloey explains to Thomas that the flatbed had no Christmas tree on it - it was a load of pipes. Also, he goes on to explain that Sir Handel delivered the tree earlier; so only he knows where it is, according to Duncan.

Thomas realises that he had been very silly in thinking that, him being a standard gauge tank engine, he should have known better than the little narrow gauge engines. So admitting defeat, he goes off to the Transfer Yards to find Sir Handel, which is exactly where he is. After apologising to Sir Handel, Thomas asks him for his assistance, which Sir Handel happily accepts. Going back to the Wharf, Thomas collects the Christmas tree and thanks Sir Handel for his help. Duncan apologises to Thomas for teasing him and in return, Thomas apologises to Duncan for not asking for his assistance.

Once at the village, the Christmas tree is ready for the party and the Fat Controller switches on the Christmas lights. Thomas now knows that, no matter what size he and his friends are, he can still ask for their help.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Skarloey
 * Sir Handel
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Peter Sam
 * Mighty Mac
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * James
 * Mr. Percival

Locations

 * The Wharf
 * The Transfer Yards
 * The Old Wooden Bridge
 * Maura
 * The Festival Market Town

Trivia

 * As seen in the book, Not Bad Temper Thomas, James was intended to have a speaking role in this episode as he was also one of the engines to tease Thomas.
 * This is one of only two episodes to be seen on two different HiT Favorites DVDs, the other being the eighth series episode, Halloween.
 * A deleted scene shows Sir Handel wearing a different face mask when Thomas says he does not need help.
 * The music of the engines fighting where Thomas shunts the flatbed is reused from Calling All Engines!.

Goofs

 * When Thomas puffs quickly away to find Sir Handel, a steam platform is clearly visible.
 * When Thomas meets up with Skarloey, the narrator says that Thomas puffed into another warehouse, even though it is the same warehouse where he met up with Rusty.

Merchandise

 * Books - Not Bad Temper Thomas

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Carnival Capers
 * The Complete Series 10
 * Snow Days

DVD Packs

 * Classic Collection

AUS

 * Carnival Capers
 * The Complete Series 10

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * The Essential Collection
 * The Great Adventures of Thomas and Friends
 * Series Nine and Series Ten Double Pack
 * The Complete Series Ten and Hero of the Rails Double Pack
 * Carnival Capers and Bashing Crashing Benny Double Pack

US/CAN

 * Snow Days
 * Jolly Holiday

DVD Packs

 * Snow Days and Frosty Friends Double Feature

HUN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 12 - The Most Important Task

POL

 * Club Colors

NOR/SWE/DK/FIN

 * Percy and the Funfair
 * Snow Favorites

DVD Boxsets

 * Danish DVD Boxset

NL

 * Fair in the City

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 41
 * Holiday Express

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 30

MYS

 * Duncan Drops a Clanger and Other Adventures
 * Toby's Afternoon Off and Other Adventures

ARA

 * Hero of the Rails

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 9

DVD Boxsets

 * Second Season

GER

 * Where is the Christmas Tree?

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 10 Vol.2
 * Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

KOR

 * Thomas the Little Engine and Friends Season 5 Vol. 1

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 18

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