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Wanted: Christmas tree of good standing, local origin
City again turns to the community for ideal holiday decor
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Published: November 14, 2009
Updated: 11/14/2009 01:10 am
Winston-Salem is again looking close to home for a Christmas tree.
The city Christmas tree, which is decorated with lights and displayed at Corpening Plaza during most of December, used to come from the mountains.
City employees would drive there twice: Once to choose a tree, and again and haul it back. The process cost the city several thousands of dollars in overtime pay.
Last year, in a cost-saving measure, the city picked a tree closer to home -- a nice Deodar cedar from Rupert Bell Park.
Now, city employees again are looking locally. James Mitchell, the city's director of vegetation management, said that city employees are considering trees from parks but also from people's homes and properties.
Mitchell estimated that using a local tree saves the city $2,000 to $3,000.
The city is looking for "the same thing that anybody else would be looking for," Mitchell said. "We want a tree that's got a good shape and a good form, and is full all the way around and has good color."
Of course, the city has some Christmas-tree requirements that differ from those of a typical household, Mitchell said.
Such as size: The Corpening Plaza tree is usually 35 to 50 feet tall.
Mitchell said that any property owner can nominate a tree for consideration. The city will pay property owners for the tree, remove it, and grind up the stump, he said.
And the city will haul off the tree, which will be unveiled at a tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 5.
Mitchell said that the city is still taking nominations. To nominate a tree, call City Link at 727-8000.
lgraff@wsjournal.com
727-7279
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