The Rolling Stones' tour resumes in Milan on Tuesday

"If you saw the tree, you'd realise the joke," said Richards, 62, who required head surgery after the fall in April but has now made a full recovery.

The rock group were speaking at a press conference before the start of the European leg of their world tour.

Several dates were postponed or cancelled after Richards' accident.

I know other peoples' eyes are going to be on me a little more than usual Keith Richards

"It was all a bit panicky at the time," singer Mick Jagger admitted.

But he joked with reporters that the tree was less than half the guitarist's height.

Richards said he "can't wait to get back on the stage". But he added: "I know other peoples' eyes are going to be on me a little more than usual."

Fellow guitarist Ronnie Wood said he was also ready to play after checking out of a London rehabilitation centre for alcohol abuse.

World tour

The band's Bigger Bang World Tour has already visited countries including China, Brazil, New Zealand and the US.

It resumes in Milan on Tuesday before travelling through Austria, Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, Portugal and Spain.

In August, they play four dates in the UK and the tour ends in September in Norway and Denmark.

But three concerts in the German cities of Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Leipzig have been cancelled.