Iconic ‘lemon’ tree returns for anniversary

Celebration: Tree recreated under cover of darkness in homage to toll workers

The mastermind behind the revival of Dundee’s famous Jif Lemon Tree is fundraising for a plaque to celebrate the practical joke’s history.

Kim McFarlane organised for plastic lemons to be hung from a tree beside the Tay Road Bridge to coincide with its 50th anniversary.

Her initiative was a nod to the original Jif Lemon Tree, which stood by the side of the bridge and was popular for more than 30 years before being felled in 1993 due to safety fears.

Kim now wants a commemorative plaque to celebrate the “unique” Dundonian sense of humour and the toll workers who started the original prank.

She said: “Back in the 1960s the bridge toll collectors hung plastic lemons on a tree – it was the ultimate April Fool’s joke and everyone love it.

“The lemons would go up every April and stay up during the summer, then they’d be taken down and stored away in winter.

“One day I was in the canteen at work and my colleagues were sharing memories of the tree.

“That’s how the idea for a campaign to bring it back started.

“I set up a Facebook group and although I had lots of support and people coming on to share their memories, it was very slow to start with.

“Now that the bridge is celebrating its 50th anniversary I thought it would be apt to get it going.”

Kim, founder of the Bring Back the Jif Lemon Tree campaign, worked with local artist Deirdre Robertson to restore the landmark.

The pair struck in cover of darkness on Saturday and, with the help of a cherry picker and the support of the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, reinstated the tree.

It is still on the Dundee side of the Tay, but now on the east side of the bridge instead of the west.

Deirdre said: “As a nod to the original, we wanted it to be mysterious. The tree is big enough to be seen from the bridge.”

Hanging lemons on the original Tay Road Bridge tree.

Kim next to the tree.