Boston Christmas Tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boston Christmas Tree |
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| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Nova Scotia and Boston Common |
| Coordinates | 42°21′20.8322″N 71°3′48.4488″W / 42.355786722°N 71.063458000°W |
| Country | United States and Canada |
| Inaugurated | 1941 |
| Participants | Mayor of Boston, Premier of Nova Scotia, Santa Claus |
| Attendance | 20,000 (lighting) |
| Budget | CA$242,000 |
The Boston Christmas Tree is the official Christmas tree for the city of Boston, Massachusetts. A special tree has been lit every year since 1941. Since 1971, the people of Nova Scotia, Canada, have given this tree to Boston. It's a way of saying thank you for Boston's help after a huge disaster in 1917. The tree is lit up in the Boston Common during the Christmas season.
Contents
Why Boston Gets a Christmas Tree from Nova Scotia
The Halifax Explosion: A City in Need
On December 6, 1917, a terrible explosion happened in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever. Much of the city was destroyed. When Boston leaders heard the news, they quickly sent a special train to help. This train carried food, water, and medical supplies. It arrived early on December 8, bringing much-needed relief. Many people in Nova Scotia still remember that "Boston was one of the first responders, and really a lifesaver."
A Gift of Thanks: The Annual Tree Donation
To show their lasting gratitude, Nova Scotia started donating a large Christmas tree to Boston. The first thank-you tree was sent in 1971. Since then, a tree has been sent every single year.
The idea for this gift came from a group of Christmas tree growers in Nova Scotia. They wanted to thank Boston and also help sell more Christmas trees. In 1976, the Nova Scotia Government took over the gift. They wanted to keep the friendly tradition going and encourage visitors and trade.
In 2017, the two cities celebrated 100 years since the explosion. The mayors of Boston and Halifax, along with Nova Scotia's leader, put up a special plaque. It was placed on the Boston Common near where the tree stands. That year, the tree honored all the brave first responders from both cities.
The trees usually come from the southern part of Nova Scotia. However, some trees have come from other areas, like Cape Breton Island. Nova Scotia also gives smaller trees to homeless shelters in Boston, like Rosie's Place.
Choosing the Perfect Tree
Finding the Right Tree for Boston
A special expert called the Christmas Tree Extension Specialist is always looking for the perfect tree. They keep a list of possible trees for many years. The search for the next year's tree often starts as early as June or July.
Most families who own these trees are very proud to donate them. They know how important the tree is to both Nova Scotia and Boston. Many are happy to see their tall trees cut down for such a special reason. Sometimes, a tree is even donated in memory of a family member who died in the Halifax Explosion.
What Makes a Tree Special?
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources has strict rules for picking the tree. It must be a beautiful balsam fir, white spruce, or red spruce. The tree needs to be about 12 to 16 meters (40 to 50 feet) tall. It must be healthy, have good color, and be full and even all around. It also needs to be easy to reach for cutting. These trees usually grow in open areas, not on tree farms, so they can become very tall and full.
The Christmas Tree Specialist's Job
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources Christmas Tree Specialist has a very important job. They are in charge of choosing the tree each year. It can be hard to find the perfect tree. The specialist needs to remember where the best trees are and convince their owners to give them up. Ross H. Pentz has been the specialist since 2001.
Cutting and Celebrating the Tree
Before the tree is cut, each branch is carefully tied to the trunk. This takes two people about a day and a half. A large crane holds the top of the tree while it is cut at the bottom with a chainsaw.
The tree cutting ceremony is a big event in Nova Scotia. Many people come to watch, including local schoolchildren. Leaders from the province and the United States are there. There are also Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a town crier, and even Santa Claus! Music is often played by groups like the Nova Scotia Mass Choir.
The Tree's Long Journey to Boston
The tree travels more than 750 miles (1,200 km) to Boston. First, it stops at the Grand Parade in Halifax for a public send-off party. People can sign a special thank-you book for Boston. The tree then travels by truck across Nova Scotia. It takes a ferry across the Bay of Fundy and continues by truck through Maine and New Hampshire. Many people line the roads and stand on highway overpasses to see the tree go by.
In 2013, a group of runners led the tree out of Halifax. They did this to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Special permits are needed to move such a large tree through different areas.
Arrival and Lighting in Boston
When the tree arrives in Boston, it has a police escort. Just like in Nova Scotia, Boston schoolchildren are there to welcome it to the Boston Common.
The tree lighting ceremony happens on the Common in late November or early December. About 20,000 people come to watch the event live. Another 200,000 people watch it on TV. The tree is decorated with thousands of lights. For example, the 1998 tree needed more than 4.5 miles (7 km) of wire and 17,000 lights!
From 1971 to 2002, the Nova Scotia tree was placed at the Prudential Tower. It was moved to the Boston Common in 2002.
Why the Tree is Important to Nova Scotia
The Boston Christmas Tree is a huge deal for the people of Nova Scotia. It's such an important tradition that "people have cried over it, argued about it, even penned song lyrics in its honour." Nova Scotia's Lands and Forestry Minister, Iain Rankin, called it "one of our proudest traditions." A spokesperson for the department said, "The whole province gets excited about the tree. It’s a big deal."
The Cost and Value of the Tree
While the Christmas Tree is a gift, it's also a big way for Nova Scotia to promote itself. In 2015, the total cost for the tree, its travel, ceremonies, and parties was about CA$242,000 (about US$179,000).
This cost includes finding and cutting the tree, and the send-off ceremony in Halifax. It also covers the cost of transporting the tree and promoting it on social media. Nova Scotia also pays for its officials to travel to Boston for the lighting ceremony. A TV station in Boston, WCVB, is paid to broadcast the live tree lighting special. This broadcast is like a huge advertisement for Nova Scotia. Experts say that when you look at all the media attention Nova Scotia gets, the tree is a "pretty good value" for the province.
Media Coverage
The tree cutting ceremony and the send-off in Halifax get a lot of media attention in Nova Scotia. TV personalities from CTV Atlantic often host these events. They also report live from Boston during the news around the time of the lighting. This media coverage helps promote Nova Scotia to many people. The tree is also promoted on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
See also
- Boston–Halifax relations
- List of individual trees
