WORDLSEY Green is already preparing for Christmas – 2017 that is – by planting its own festive tree.

The new tree was put into its new home this summer and will be ready to be decorated next winter when it has fully blossomed.

To help pay for the new festive flora, which has been installed in the Wordsley Green shopping area, money was granted from Dudley Council’s community forum grants.

Ward councillor Matt Rogers, who is one of the people behind the project, said planting a permanent tree will help the council cut down on more than £1,000 of yearly Christmas tree costs.

He said: “I have assisted green care manager Matt Williams with applying for a tree and the community forum has granted the money to save the council costs in the long term

“The yearly cost of erecting a cut tree is about £1,200, but this money can now be better spent on other community projects or charities.”

The funding request was put into the council by Mr Williams after councillors from all parties backed the cash bid.

Wordsley UKIP councillor Paul Brothwood said: “It was a common sense decision because we are sick of the council paying each year for artificial trees.
“There is the small cost to get it planted now, but but it will help save so much in the long run, so just made sense.”

Although the tree is not yet developed enough to be fully decorated for this Christmas, Cllr Rogers is working with local schools to create light decorations which will not harm its growth.

Cllr Rogers added: “I urge other local area forums to plant more Christmas trees rather than waste thousands of pounds every year on cut trees.”