A Charleswood resident has donated a 42-foot blue Colorado spruce tree to city hall in honour of his late wife.

 

The city announced last week that the tree donated by Antony van Ginkel would go up as this year’s City Hall Christmas tree and it was set up this past Sunday, Nov. 5.

van Ginkel’s wife Rosemary died from brain cancer in 2012.

“It was my late wife’s wish to see our spruce tree decorated with lights at City Hall,” van Ginkel said in a news release. “I’m happy to donate this tree in her honour and know she will be looking down and see it lit from above.”

Now that the tree is in place, a group from the City’s Urban Forestry Branch will decorate it over the next few days with over 9,000 multi-coloured LED lights.

“We’re grateful to Mr. van Ginkel for contributing this tree for our holiday display at City Hall,” city forester Martha Barwinsky said in a release. “Its frosty blue colour and full crown right to the ground are sure to make it a showstopper.”

The ceremonial tree lighting ceremony will take place later this November.

The city says property owners who have trees that may have outgrown their property can consider donating the tree to City Hall’s Christmas display.

To be considered for the City Hall Christmas tree, a spruce tree must meet the following criteria:

  • - located in the front yard of a property with direct access to the tree
  • - 12 to 15 metres tall (approximately 40 to 50 feet)
  • - fully symmetrical with a single trunk and no brown needles

The Urban Forestry Branch staff selects the tree that best meets the criteria. The selected tree donor does not receive compensation for the tree.

For more information, visit the city’s website.