Waiting to give: City has a list of people who'd like to donate Christmas trees
Nov. 16, 2006
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon@fredericknewspost.com
FREDERICK — When Leesy McDonnell planted a tree in her Monocacy Village yard more then 26 years ago, she never imagined it would be used to bring holiday cheer to visitors in downtown Frederick.
The Colorado blue spruce was just two and a half feet tall when she planted it between her home and the front yard fence. Every Christmas since, she decorated it with elegant ornaments and strings of lights.
“It was beautiful to come up the road and see the lights on the tree,” she said. “That first year, my neighbor went and got Christmas balls that belonged to his grandmother for the tree — it was really neat to see this tree decorated.”
As the tree grew, Ms. McDonnell, a retired illustrator, relied more and more on her neighbor to help decorate the tree.
Last year, her neighbor couldn't reach the highest branches — it had grown to more than 20 feet tall.
“The tree was getting so it was hard to get up to the top,” she said. “The ladder wasn't big enough and the tree was getting close to the fence and the side of the house.”
Ms. McDonnell knew it was time to do something. Five years ago, she hired a company to dispose of a diseased maple tree on her property, but she didn't want to see the spruce destroyed.
“I never paid much attention to the Christmas trees downtown in years past, but that's when I thought it would make a fine Christmas tree for the people of Frederick to enjoy,” she said.
City trees
Ms. McDonnell tried to donate the tree to the city last year, but was surprised to be put on a waiting list.
Tom Rippeon, an arborist for the city, said Frederick has a twoyear waiting list. It takes two each year, one for the corner of Seventh and Market streets and the other to place on Court Street near City Hall.
“It's sort of a tradition in Frederick for people to donate their trees for Christmas,” he said Wednesday. “But we don't take just any tree; it has to fit us.”
Mr. Rippeon inspects each tree to be sure it is well-proportioned and healthy. Trees must be in Frederick County and between 20 and 30 feet tall.
People usually donate a tree that has grown to be unmanageable, he said. Trees might be too tall to trim or too close to utilities or foundations.
“We've gone as far as Thurmont and New Market to pick up a tree, but I have to make a judgment call — we can't take a 50-foot pine tree.” he said. “Sometimes I think they think of us as a tree removal service.”
Mr. Rippeon said taking Christmas trees requires help from several city departments. Department of public works laborers cut the tree down. Water and sewer department workers operate a crane that lifts the tree. Once the tree is installed, the electrical department is responsible for lighting.
The city does not charge to cut down the tree and will also remove the stump if it's not blocked by a fence or building. Mr. Rippeon declined to guess how much it costs the city to take a tree.
Mr. Rippeon said Frederick has never paid for a Christmas tree during the six years he's worked there.
“If the trees weren't donated, I think we would do without,” he said. “We did look into buying an artificial one, but at $10,000 I think we'll stick with donated trees.”
This year, workers took about four hours to cut down, transport and install two 20-foot trees. Ms. McDonnell's is on display at the corner of Seventh and Market streets waiting to be decorated. Another Colorado blue spruce, taken from the airport to make way for an expansion, sits on Court Street.
When the trees are taken down next year, they will be mulched for use in one of the 68 parks in Frederick.
Letting go
When a crane, flatbed truck and work crew arrived at Ms. McDonnell's house Wednesday morning, she couldn't help but watch.
The crane operator lowered the arm and looped a canvass strap around the tree. As a worker cut, the tree leaned, but the crane held it upright.
“Once the tree was free, they placed it flat on a trailer,” Ms. McDonnell said. “They used a chipper to grind up the branches and they ground up the bottom so I wouldn't be left with a stump.”
While the tree was being carried away, Ms. McDonnell considered the animals that used to hide in its branches.
“It was home for birds, but there are other trees that they can make their home around,” she said. “The rabbits used to go under the tree, but there are plenty of bushes around for the rabbits.”
She recalled how, for years, children would play hide and seek below the lowest boughs. Now they'll have to use a nearby bush.
Ms. McDonnell believes the children will be happy after all — now they have more open space in which to play.
She knew the tree had to go, but she didn't want to see it go to waste. Donating it will at least let others appreciate the tree's beauty, she said.
“It's hard to see it go — you get attached to trees,” she said. “You planted it yourself and it's a beautiful tree. I think all my friends will probably go down to say hello. I think I will too.”