Artificial Tree Makes First Appearance
The city of Lexington kicked off the Christmas season with the annual candlelight processional and tree lighting at Hopkins Green last Friday, but with a new addition this year: an artificial Christmas tree adorned with dozens of red bows.
The new city Christmas tree stands at 16 feet tall, with a 2-foot star-burst tree topper. Patrick Madigan, director of Lexington Public Works, said that the pre-lit tree “comes from Mosca, a company that also provides our light pole wreaths. The tree is an aluminum extruded metal frame, all artificial branches, etc.”
It was assembled by a sixman crew from Lexington Public Works who spent about four hours setting it up on Tuesday, Nov. 25. From fluffing the branches to adding bows to the boughs, the crew worked intently on the new structure. It was so tall by the end that they had to use a bucket truck to put the topper on the tree.
The artificial tree succeeds the large “real” tree in the corner of Hopkins Green that had served as the city’s Christmas tree since the start of the processional and tree lighting in 1995.
When asked who made the decision and why, Madigan said it was a city management decision to change it out.
“The tree has been getting stressed and does have some disease,” he said. “Our arborist was concerned about continued use of it and it potentially may have to be removed. It became somewhat of a safety hazard as well because of height and fall protection that we would have to do to decorate it.”
The placement of the tree was also important, as it was “placed closer to the center [of the park] so that it’s more visible from the road,” said Merryn Williams of Main Street Lexington.
The bows for the tree, and the fence around Hopkins Green, were made by Skip Hess, a local business owner. He has been involved with the holiday decorations and tree lighting since its inception.
The tree was ceremonially lit by the mayor after the candlelight procession. Hopkins Green was overflowing with people of all ages in winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Santa and Mrs. Claus were seated comfortably in the pergola to take pictures with the kids. Everyone in attendance counted down to the moment the tree was lit and many stayed to sing carols in the square.
“We believe that the new tree looks beautiful,” said Jeremy Franklin, executive director at Main Street Lexington, “and we’re grateful to the city and to the public works staff for installing it and for helping us to have another great event with the candlelight processional last Friday.”
The video of the tree assembly can be found on our Youtube channel:
