The tree that binds Boston and Nova Scotia
Special big tree, this year from Pictou County, is a big hit in Beantown
Most Nova Scotians are familiar with the Halifax Explosion story, to some degree.
The Dec. 6, 1917 collision of two ships – one carrying explosive materials – in the Halifax Harbour instantly killed approximately 2,000 people and injured 9,000.
The city of Boston responded with doctors, nurses, needed medical supplies and other useful materials and expertise. That year Halifax sent Boston a large Christmas tree as a token of thanks. In 1971 the annual tradition began.
The 2019 Tree for Boston marks the 48th year. This year’s Tree for Boston was donated by Desmond Waithe and Corrina Saunders of Black Point.
Over the last 10 years or so I have been watching this tree as a potential candidate for Boston. In 2018 I approached Desmond and Corrina to see if they would be interested, which they were. At that time, the tree did not meet the eligibility threshold of 45 feet. This past summer the tree grew two feet and became the best candidate of all nominated trees.
Department of Lands and Forestry, with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal are responsible for the cutting ceremony, care and transportation of the tree for Boston. On Nov. 13, nearly 300 elementary students from nearby Pictou Landing and New Glasgow schools joined forces with two classes of NSCC Port Hawkesbury Campus to learn some interesting things about both nature and the Boston tree traditions.
Another 200 people enjoyed a smudging ceremony by a Pictou
Landing elder, songs from the two elementary schools and speeches from Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin and special guests from the City of
Boston. Then NSCC forestry instructor Waddie Long cut the 60-year-old white spruce, and it was gently lowered onto a TIR flat bed truck in preparation for its long journey.
The big tree travelled to Halifax for an official send-off by the City of Halifax. Dignitaries thanked Desmond and Corrina for their generous tree donation. A number of displays were available for the public to visit, along with signing the thank you book that was to travel to Boston with the tree.
The tree then was led by an impressive procession out of the city to the TIR garage in Miller Lake where it was decorated in preparation for next day’s Halifax Parade of Lights.
The following day, the truck and tree took off for Boston. After an hour visit in Amherst, the big tree was seen by thousands of social media users as it made its way 12 hours down the road to Boston.
The truck and tree were led into downtown Boston by police escort to the large green space Boston Common. It took most of one day for Boston Parks Department staff to erect the tree in its four-ft. deep permanent cylinder.
Prior to the big tree lighting stage show, a reception was held for the Nova Scotia visitors and Boston hosts. Desmond and Corrina were in the spotlight and thanked officially by the City of Boston, Minister Leo Glavine and countless other Bostonians. After parading to the Boston Common, there was two hours of musical acts on stage for fans to enjoy, including Nova Scotia performers Neon Dreams and Zamani. The climax to the show and evening was the countdown to the tree lighting. Then the more than 6,000 lights flashed on, along with brilliant fireworks.
It was clear throughout the process that the people of Boston very much appreciate that Nova Scotia carries out this wonderful annual tradition of providing a giant beautiful Christmas tree for all to enjoy during the holiday season.