Tiny Christmas tree planted by couple in 1979 is now tourist attraction after growing over 50ft tall
A TINY Christmas tree planted by a couple in their garden in 1979 has grown over 50ft tall and is now a tourist attraction.
Avril and Christopher Rowlands need a cherry-picker to decorate it with thousands of lights — and their official switch-ons have raised £25,000 for charities.
Around 2,000 people were at this year’s event at their home in Inkberrow, Worcs.
Avril, 79, said: “We had no idea it would grow so tall but we’re delighted it has.”
It is named as a local landmark on Google and has attracted five-star reviews.
And their electricity supplier knocks £100 off their bill.
Retired TV writer Avril said: “It’s a remarkable to think we bought the tree as a sapling really in 1978 and planted it outside after New Year’s Day 1979.
“We had no idea it would grow so tall but we’re delighted it has.
“Every year people say the tree switch-on marks the start of Christmas.
She added: “The tree did have a disease a year ago but we had the lower branches pruned and wooden posts installed to support it and it’s never looked better.
“Obviously, Chris and I are getting on, I’m 80 next year, but we’ve got no plans to stop the Christmas switch on.
“The tree’s roots are probably growing under the house but so far we’ve not had any problems.
“We wouldn’t know what to do if we couldn’t do this switch on every year.
“It’s become a tradition in the village and beyond which is wonderful.”