Northford Tree Makes Trek to New Haven Green [Video]

The McDermott family of Northford said goodbye to a large tree in their yard, but not due to damage from  or the recent .

Their tree will stand tall on the New Haven Green as the 2011 Christmas tree.

Though Marie McDermott is a bit sad to see their tree go, she is happy to be a part of New Haven’s holiday celebration. As the talented and gifted teacher at Ross-Woodward School in that city, Marie knows she’ll have a chance to see her tree like she never has before.

“I work in New Haven so I feel like if I’d give it anywhere, it’s nice to give it to a city that has given me so much,” she said. “It’s like giving my kids and my teachers in New Haven a Christmas present.”

The McDermott’s didn’t seek out this opportunity with New Haven’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees (DPRT); it literally came knocking at their door.

“Four years ago, we were sitting outside on Columbus Day weekend and a lady came up and said, ‘I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, but can I have your tree–I’m looking for the perfect tree for the New Haven Green,’” said Marie.

That lady was Christy Hass, who spends part of her time traveling through towns around New Haven in search of the “perfect tree,” which is between 55 and 70 feet high and should be a Norway spruce or Douglas fir (but not a blue spruce).

“Every year it’s another adventure,” said Hass. “I spent hours through Guilford, Madison and other towns. This year we had people from all over that sent me trees to check out, but the farther it is, the harder it is to get it here.”

Hass has had good luck in Northford as she used the Gagne family’s tree last year, which was taken from their home just blocks away from the McDermott’s.

Though Hass approached them with the proposal four years ago, Marie wasn’t ready to part with the tree. But over the past four years, the branches have gotten bigger and then with the threat from Irene, she decided it was time to contact Hass.

“I wasn’t sure because it was a gorgeous tree, but we called because we couldn’t keep taking chances with the tree,” she said.

The DPRT arrived at the McDermott’s house last week to begin preparing the tree for its journey. The process begins with tying each of the tree’s branches so they do not break while it is being transported. About 20 feet of branches could be tied in a day and the tree was finally ready to head to the green on Nov. 1.

A crane came in and the tree was cut down and laid on a flatbed, which is  and to New Haven where it is ready to be put into a pre-drilled hole, tied with cables and decorated with 30,000 lights.

The tree lighting will be held on Dec. 2 with the McDermott’s invited to come help flip the switch. Representatives from People’s United Bank will also be on hand as it is the second year the bank is sponsoring the tree, which is made possible by their $20,000 donation.

“Due to cuts, the tree hasn’t been funded and People’s United Bank has stepped up to make it happen over the last two years,” said Hass. “This tree is very nice and will look beautiful when it’s lit up. This is one of my favorite events.

"To me, it’s one of the focal points of the community," she said. "Standing on the green and looking at the tree lit up by all of those lights is the most peaceful, beautiful feeling and it really draws the community together."