O, Christmas Tree! Count Down to Holiday Stroll Begins

On Thursday morning Mary and Doug Elliot watched their majestic concolor fir take flight, like a Nutcracker ballerina, pirouetting as it was hoisted above the earth and loaded onto a Nashua Parks and Rec flatbed.

Its destiny may have been preordained, given the tree was transplanted some 20 years ago by the Elliots, who purchased the then 7-foot tree to adorn their barren front yard.

Because its destination is Main Street, next to the Hunt Building, in place for the city's annual tree lighting during this year's 20th Holiday Stroll, set for Nov. 30.

"We had just moved here and we took our son to the nursery to pick out the perfect tree. We are tree people," said Mary Elliot, who said she had done her homework, and was interested in a tree that is native to New Hampshire. 

Her arborist, Mike Hennas, was also on hand Thursday morning as the city crew efficiently girded the tree, severing its lower branches, before lifting it up and moving it to the truck. 

"I've been taking care of that tree since it was a baby," Hennas said, particularly interested to take a look at the tree's growth rings.

"This tree has grown incredibly fast – way beyond the average," Hennas said, pointing out the thick rings on the tree's stump. "But it had pretty much outgrown the space here. It wasn't going to make it through another year at the rate it's been growing."

Hennas, an old friend and former employee of Parks and Rec Director Nick Caggiano before he started working for the city, gave Caggiano a call thinking he might be in the market for a good Christmas tree.

"Actually, we usually do get offers of trees, and this year I was getting a little nervous about it, but then Mike called. We came and took a look and knew it was a great tree," Caggiano said.

Mary and Doug Elliot followed the tree to Main Street and took photographs of its installation, next to the Hunt Building.

They plan to plant a new concolor fir in the spring and, God willing, will happily donate it to the city in another 15 years.

"I hope it makes everyone as happy as it's made us for all these years. It's a special tree," said Mary Elliot. "We're a little sad to lose it, but happy so many people will see it in its glory."

Music featured in the video: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, courtesy of musopen.org