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What became of the famous wonky Christmas tree?

John Devine/BBC Dave Everett who has short white hair, rectangular glasses and is wearing a dark blue fleece. He is holding up a slice of tree and is smiling broadlyJohn Devine/BBC
Dave Everett said it was an honour to be involved with producing items from last year's wonky tree

A wonky Christmas tree that made headlines across the world has been chopped up so people can buy a piece of history.

There was an initial outcry about the pronounced lean of the 9m (30ft) spruce when it was erected in 2023 in March, Cambridgeshire.

After it brought a much-needed boost to the town, another wonky tree has been sourced for this year.

The 2023 tree has been donated to the town's Make and Mend Shed and volunteers are transforming it into stepping stones, clocks - and even a centrepiece for a wedding.

Chair Dave Everett, 66, said to be involved with something that brought "worldwide fame" to the town was "a bit of an honour".

John Devine/BBC A 9m (30ft) Christmas tree which is leaning to the right in the Market Square, March. Shops are behind it and large decorations hang across the road in front of it in 2023John Devine/BBC
Last year's leaning tree (above) brought so much interest to the Fenland town, March Town Council requested a wonky one for this year too
Dave Everett A close-up of a wedding centre piece. It is made from a branch from a tree, which has three branches. On the top of each branch are slices cut from a tree trunk. They have been sanded and varnishedDave Everett
The 2023 tree was cut into slices and is being made into various items, including this wedding centrepiece, as a fundraiser for the town's Christmas lights

After the 2023 tree was cut down, it was offered it to the Make and Mend Shed, which is a community workshop offering people a chance to socialise over projects.

Mr Everett said: "It had been cut into slices which range from 18in (45cm) round from the base of the tree to 6in (15cm) round from its top and we were very pleased to be offered it."

Because a chainsaw was used to make the slices, each one needed sanding down to make it level and the finished items were then varnished.

So far, stepping stones for gardens have proved popular and the volunteers have also made clocks.

John Devine/BBC A 9m (30ft) Christmas tree, lush and green and leaning slightly to the left. There are shops behind it and the March town war memorial to the left, complete with many red poppy wreaths. A black car is in the foreground, driving along Broad StreetJohn Devine/BBC
March Town Council requested another wonky Christmas tree after last year's leaning tree "put March on the map" and it is now in place on Broad Street
John Devine/BBC A pile of wet-looking tree trunk slices. They are in various shades of green, yellow and orange, making their rings look darkerJohn Devine/BBC
"There's about half-a-dozen of us making things with it," said Mr Everett

"Somebody asked us to make a centrepiece for a wedding which turned out really well, using three slices of wood and a branch from another tree," said Mr Everett.

"We're also experimenting with burning the wood to make patterns, although it's not the easiest thing to do and is still in the early stages."

All money raised will go towards the March Christmas Lights Committee, although he said no prices had been fixed and people were simply asked for donations.

"Something that doesn't come along that often with worldwide fame so to be involved with it, yes, it is a bit of an honour," Mr Everett said.

John Devine/BBC Three slices of tree trunk on a work benchJohn Devine/BBC
Each one needs sanding down to make it level and the finished items are varnished with some due for sale at the town's Christmas market

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