Structure pasting totally exploded

Does anyone know why a structure would generate like this?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1215777873596645387/1315541535047290891/image.png?ex=675b14c7&is=6759c347&hm=635a0e2e9301e405ddb2aaf4a7acf15f5313c044c9b03cf4faa109d76ee33ff9&
It's supposed to be a giant candy cane. if I paste it in using a structure block it pastes fine, but the worldgen pastes it in exploded apart
    "type": "minecraft:jigsaw",
    "start_pool": "christmasland:giant_candy_cane",
    "biomes": [
        "christmasland:christmas_meadow"
    ],
    "project_start_to_heightmap": "WORLD_SURFACE_WG",
    "size": 7,
    "step": "surface_structures",
    "adapt_noise": false,
    "terrain_adaptation": "beard_thin",
    "start_height": {
      "absolute": 0
    },
    "spawn_overrides": {},
    "use_expansion_hack": false
}```

I've tried every terrain adaptation setting and none of them result in a non-exploded candycane. this has been driving me mad for days