‘First casualty spotted this morning…’ Crime writer Ian Rankin finds a Christmas tree ‘corpse’ lying out with the bins as festive decorations are dumped just three days after Christmas
- The writer posted an image of the tree lying sideways on street next to bins
- Post prompted angry replies from traditionalists who said it was too early
- Christmas decorations are meant to come down on Twelfth Night
- Have you spotted a discarded Christmas tree? email pictures@mailonline.co.uk
Ian Rankin reckons he has spotted the first discarded Christmas tree of the season lying in an Edinburgh street just three days after the big event.
The crime writer, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, posted an image of a real 5ft Christmas tree, with plenty of life left in it, laying sideways on the street beside two black bins.
The writer called it the ‘first casualty’ of the season, and the image prompted angry comments from traditionalists who insist decorations should stay up until Twelfth Night on January 5.
The crime writer, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, posted an image today of a real 5ft Christmas tree, with plenty of life left in it, laying sideways on the street beside two bins
The image prompted angry comments from traditionalists who insist decorations should stay up until Twelfth Night on January 5, or else misfortune will ensue
Abandoned Christmas trees have become a common sight across the country, with some remaining uncollected as late as March.
A Twitter user called Marta responded: ‘That was quick, perhaps they weren’t happy with presents this year.’
Another said: ‘It’s not even been the full 12 days! Oh, this is tragic.’
Wendy Leigh wrote: ‘Christmas Tree corpses always sadden me. Cast aside in the gutter after their glory days are gone.’
Emma Park wrote: ‘Look at all the green…still got weeks left in him!’
And Mike Tucker added: ‘Off out to buy Valentine cards, Easter Eggs and get the summer holiday booked.’
But it appears Rankin’s tree has a competitor, with writer and musician Ben Watt informing him: ‘Our neighbour actually threw theirs out on Dec 22. Don’t ask.’
The crime supremo replied: ‘I feel there’s a story there, Ben. Cheers!’
It appears Rankin’s tree has a competitor, with writer and musician Ben Watt informing him: ‘Our neighbour actually threw theirs out on Dec 22. Don’t ask.’ Meanwhile, Mike Tucker joked that he planned to rush off to the shops to buy his Easter eggs