What happened to the uncertain Christmas tree of March 2023?

Dave Everett said it was an honor to be involved in producing items from last year’s tree

John Devine/BBC Dave Everett, who has short white hair, rectangular glasses and wears a dark blue fleece. He holds a piece of wood and smiles broadly — Dave Everett said it was an honor to be involved in producing items from last year’s tree

Chairman Dave Everett, 66, said it was a “small honor” to be involved in something that had brought the city “world-wide fame”.

Last year’s leaning tree (above) generated so much interest in the town of Fenland that the March Town Council asked for it to lean this year as well

John Devine/BBC A 9m high Christmas tree leaning to the right in the Market Square, March. There are shops behind it, and in 2023 there are large decorations hanging in front of it — Last year’s leaning tree (above) generated so much interest in the town of Fenland that the March Town Council asked for it to lean this year as well

The 2023 tree has been sliced and is being made into various items, including this wedding decoration, as part of a fundraiser for the city’s Christmas lights

Dave Everett Close up of a wedding decoration item. It is made from the branches of a tree that has three branches. At the top of each branch are slices cut from the tree trunk. They have been sanded and varnished — The 2023 tree has been sliced and is being made into various items, including this wedding decoration, as part of a fundraiser for the city’s Christmas lights

After the 2023 tree was cut down, it was donated to the Make and Mend Shed, a community workshop offering people the chance to socialize while doing projects.

Everett said: “It was cut into slices ranging from 45cm from the base of the tree to 15cm from the top and we were very pleased to be offered it.”

Because a chainsaw was used to make the slices, each one needed sanding to get even, and the finished pieces were then painted.

So far, garden platforms have enjoyed great interest, and volunteers have also made clocks.

The City Council in March asked for another wobbly Christmas tree after last year’s leaning tree “put March on the map” and is now in place on Broad Street

John Devine/BBC A 9 m (30 ft) tall Christmas tree, lush and green, leaning slightly to the left. Behind it there are shops and on the left side there is a monument to the March Urban War with many red poppy wreaths. In the foreground, a black car drives along Broad Street — The City Council in March asked for another wobbly Christmas tree after last year’s leaning tree “put March on the map” and is now in place on Broad Street

“There are about half a dozen of us doing something about it,” Everett said

John Devine/BBC A pile of wet pieces of tree trunk. They come in various shades of green, yellow and orange, making their rings appear darker — “There are about half a dozen of us doing something about it,” Everett said

“Someone asked us to make a centerpiece for a wedding, which turned out really well, using three pieces of wood and a branch from another tree,” Everett said.

“We are also experimenting with burning wood to create patterns, although it is not the easiest and is still in the early stages.”

All money raised will be donated to the March Christmas Lights Committee, although he said no prices were set and people were simply asked for donations.

“Something that doesn’t happen very often and is world renowned, so to be a part of it, yes, it’s quite an honor,” Everett said.