Tree gets new life for the holidays

SANDPOINT — A venerable community tree may be making an exit, but it’s certainly going out in a blaze of glory.  

The massive Christmas tree now looming over Jeff Jones Town Square was previously an even-more-massive tree gracing the City Beach. However, after a recent windstorm damaged it to the point where it had to be removed, Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department Director Kim Woodruff decided to give the tree one last hurrah as the city’s Christmas tree.

It all began with the windstorm that knocked out power and uprooted trees in late October. The damage at City Beach was no less severe, with one large evergreen in particular taking a beating. Once the wind died down, Woodruff said the tree’s root system was found to be exposed, and there was no replanting or repairing the damage. Since it was a safety hazard, city workers had no choice but remove it from the park.

However, city personnel saw an opportunity with the damaged tree. Rather than chop it down immediately, Woodruff said they took proper safety precautions and let it remain in the park for a few more weeks.

“We basically just cordoned it off with caution tape and waited to cut it down until (this Wednesday,)” he said.

Parks and Recreation workers arrived during the afternoon to remove the tree safely from the park.

As is park policy, Woodruff said that at least one new tree will be planted in its place, although it may potentially be of another species, he added.

Even so, the fallen tree will have at least one more season of service to the community, Woodruff said. Workers cut off the top of the tree and transported it to town square to serve as the city Christmas tree.

It took about an hour of prep time to get the new Christmas tree ready for display.

First, workers lifted it from the truck bed using a crane on loan from the Sandpoint Public Works Department.

The crew then set about trimming the base of the tree to fit into the cavity at the center of the town square — about 30 inches deep altogether. Next came the Christmas star tree-topper and the first few strands of holiday lights wrapped around the top of the tree — a good consideration given its height.

From there, Woodruff said it was just a matter of using the crane to ease the tree on over, sinking it to a secure fit in the middle of the square.

With the installation complete, the tree is all set for the traditional lighting ceremony, set for 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29.

Woodruff is pleased the city departments came together to give a much-admired community evergreen one last time to shine.

 “It’s cool that we are able to give it one last hurrah to help Sandpoint celebrate the holidays,” he said.