News release

Donors of 2012 Nova Scotia Tree for Boston Announced

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Paul and Jan Hicks of Jordan Bay, Shelburne Co., are proud to be this year's generous donors of the Nova Scotia Christmas tree for Boston.

A crew from Natural Resources will cut the tree on the Hicks's property during a public ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 13. The province will truck the 15 metre (50 feet) white spruce to Boston as part of the annual tradition.

"This year, our province enters the fifth decade of presenting a large, beautiful Nova Scotia Christmas tree to the people of Boston as thanks for the their help in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax explosion," said Maurice Smith, acting Minister of Natural Resources. "On behalf of the province, I thank Paul and Jan for providing this year's remarkable tree to represent Nova Scotia's gratitude to Boston."

This year's tree is about 70 years old and stands close to the road on the Hicks's front yard. They will be joined at the traditional tree-cutting ceremony by representatives from the province, the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia, the municipality of Shelburne, hundreds of local school children, RCMP in red serge uniforms, media, and onlookers.

"I was pretty excited when I learned that our tree would be sent to Boston," said Mr. Hicks. "This is a real honour and our children, Matthew and Colin, are really excited, too. This is a big thing for the whole community."

Each year since 1971, Nova Scotia has sent Boston a large Christmas tree in gratitude for help Bostonians provided after the devastating Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917. Close to 2,000 people were killed and hundreds were left hurt and homeless. Boston was quick to provide medical personnel and supplies.

The province wants Nova Scotians to be part of the annual search for the perfect Nova Scotia tree for Boston. Anyone knowing of a white or red spruce or balsam fir that is 12 to 15 metres high (40-50 feet), with good symmetry, and easy access, should contact their local Natural Resources office.

Details on how to report a good candidate for the Nova Scotia tree for Boston and this year's tree cutting ceremony are at http://novascotia.ca/treeforboston . Follow the tree's travels on Twitter @TreeforBoston and friend the tree on Facebook at www.facebook.com/treeforboston.

The tree lighting will take place on the Boston Common on Nov. 29 at a ceremony attracting about 30,000 people and broadcast live on the local ABC television.