Nova Scotia's Tree for Boston cut down at special ceremony in Antigonish County

Tree for Boston begins journey This year's Tree for Boston is a 48-year-old white spruce from Antigonish County, N.S.

This year’s Tree for Boston was cut down at a special ceremony Wednesday morning in Nova Scotia’s Antigonish County.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Hugh and Liz Ryan of Mattie Settlement would donate the tree, which is a 13.7-metre (45-foot) white spruce.

“We have watched this tree grow from a young sapling to its present height for the last 30 years,” said the Ryan family in a statement at the time. “We are happy and proud to donate this tree to Boston as a heartfelt thank you for all the help received during a great hardship in Halifax.”

Before heading to Boston, the tree is making a special stop in Halifax.

“The tree will take part in the unveiling of Woody, the Christmas tree at Mic Mac Mall, and will be down at the HRM Grand Parade Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 23,” said Sandra Johnston with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

“And then on the 24th, the tree will travel from Nova Scotia to Boston, arriving in Boston on the 26th of November"

As part of the yearly ceremony, tree seedlings were given away to those who attended.

“This year they are red spruce, which is our provincial tree, and people can plant them and grow, someday, maybe, a tree for Boston themselves,” said Johnston.

The tree is an annual tradition, and is Nova Scotia’s way of showing thanks to Boston for sending medical assistance following the Halifax Explosion on Dec. 6, 1917.

About 2,000 people died and thousands were injured and left homeless after French munitions ship SS Mont-Blanc and Norwegian relief ship SS Imo collided in the narrows of Halifax Harbour.

This year’s tree is set to leave Halifax on Sunday ahead of Boston’s tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 5.

Click here to see images of the ceremony.

For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.