Thanksgiving storm strikes again: no Christmas tree for the city

City officials have just announced that due to the storm clean-up they will be skipping an annual tradition.

Early in October the city of Winnipeg's Urban Forestry Branch was in search of a tall and symmetrical tree to represent the city in the annual tree lighting event.

• Read more: Private property damage climbs into millions of dollars from Thanksgiving storm

• Read more: Busiest 24 hours all year for WFPS and City of Winnipeg expected to continue

However, now, the city says "crews and significant resources" are too focused on the Thanksgiving storm clean-up to install a large spruce tree in the city hall for decoration. 

The storm damaged a large number of city trees that required urgent pickup. 

• Read more: Damage worse than originally thought: Hydro

• Read more: Depots extending hours for cleanup, tree replanting could take 5 years: City

Every year, a tree is chosen from homeowner donations and removed free of cost.

Although they will not have a tree, the city is looking at other options to celebrate the season.