The Christmas tree on Holiday Lane is gone, ending a decades-old tradition. Now what?

CANANDAIGUA — The huge spruce tree on Holiday Lane that neighbors decorated with colorful lights and served as a beacon for the holidays for years survived the Christmas season.

But it wouldn’t make it through the first month of the new year.

The stories of all living things, as Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin put it, have a beginning, a middle and an end. Trees included.

Some had this tree at 60 feet tall, others at closer to 50. Whatever. "It was a tall tree," Goodwin said.

And the tree, which was planted in the middle of a circle at the end of this cul-de-sac off North Pearl Street, was dying and city crews took it down Jan. 24.

“This tree was not going to live forever and had run its course," Goodwin said. “It’s unfortunate.”

In its place is a hole in the hearts of neighbors for a tree that not only helped usher in the holidays, but also served as a symbolic light at the end of the long dark tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bob Stolze, who is one of the neighbors who lives on this roadway near Woodlawn Cemetery, agrees that the tree was nearing the end of its life.

Stolze and other neighbors are continuing to work with the city to replace the tree. They hope it's another evergreen tree, although that seems unlikely at this point for various reasons, or something similar because they have such an emotional attachment to one they just lost.

“It’s just a wonderful, heartwarming thing we don’t want to lose,” Stolze said. “We want our grandchildren to see the same heartwarming sight that we see.”

Happy holidays on Holiday Lane for years

Forty-two homes, a good mix of small ranches and larger multi-story residences, make up Holiday Lane and many, if not all, were built in the early to mid-1960s, Stolze said.

Since then, it is believed that two trees — the one removed in January was about 20 years old — have grown in the circle and provided holiday cheer in the many years since someone hit on the idea of lighting it. Five 100-foot strings of lights, which in recent years were upgraded to LEDs, provided the light, Stolze said. Residents, and not the city, have done the honors every year, at great expense of time and money. In fact, a landscaper donated the use of a bucket truck in order to repair the lights near the treetop when needed.

But, they find it worth it, as people do make a point of coming to visit come Christmastime.

One time, a car rolled up and a boy who could see the tree from his neighborhood came out and even helped Stolze with some of the work.

“I plugged it in that night, just for the boy, because he was just an enthusiastic guy who made me feel good about doing this,” Stolze said. “People really do love it.”

During COVID, they kept the tree lighted well past the holidays, and well, it seemed to help. Although most everyone is trying to forget, you will remember you couldn't go anywhere or do the things you loved to do during that time. But neighbors could look out their window and see their tree.

As hard as it was to believe at the time, they also could hope.

"It was a time when being hopeful was not easy," Stolze said.

What should go on Holiday Lane?

Neighbors have approached City Council and the city’s tree advisory board, and the discussions about replacing the tree have been cordial, informative and, at least for now, lacking consensus.

At issue is, what kind of tree, if any, should go here?

Neighbors and the city, including members of the tree advisory board and city arborist, have met and discussed options. More get-togethers are planned.

One school of thought is another evergreen of some sort.

Stolze and the neighbors are hoping the stump left behind is removed and in its place a nice healthy pine or a similar tree as large as possible replaces it. Residents would consider chipping in for costs, Stolze said.

“It seems, to me, we’re not asking for all that much,” Stolze said.

City officials must consider the environment a tree will live in and make sure it can survive and thrive. Every year, the city removes dead or dying trees or those facing threats from invasive species, Goodwin said.

There are many reasons why replacing this spruce with another just like it does not make for a good street tree. Spruce trees and the like have poor salt tolerance and they can become top heavy, which exacerbates the problems caused by their shallow roots, Goodwin said.

“We also have to be concerned about public safety impacts,” Goodwin said. “When you see these high windstorm events, it’s usually a pine, spruce or fir tree that is tipped over on someone’s vehicle or house.”

Councilmember Erich Dittmar, who represents this street in the city’s Ward 4, said part of him wants to replace the tree with another spruce. But he added that he knows that it is not best practice because spruce trees are notoriously salt intolerant and another spruce would struggle, as this one did.

“However, since this tree’s replacement will be in such a prominent spot, I have advocated the city staff go above and beyond to listen to the residents, take their input and plant a tree that will be enjoyed by the community for decades to come,” Dittmar said.

Trees are taken seriously in Canandaigua

Why so much discussion over a tree?

Canandaigua has been designated a Tree City USA for over 30 years. The city has two certified arborists on staff. Each year, 100 to 120 trees are planted and 60 to 80 are removed, Goodwin said.

Trees are vital to the city’s infrastructure and character, but they must be managed smartly, Goodwin said.

“We take our trees seriously,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin and staff are proud of the work they do for trees, and for the continued recognition they receive year after year.

"You will not find that level of expertise in any municiality around," Goodwin said.

Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo said he understands how much a tree means to the people in this neighborhood.

No decision has been made yet, although different types of trees that would lend themselves better to that area and could handle lighting and decorations are being looked at, Palumbo said.

A flagpole has even been mentioned.

“We’ll try to work out something that will make a good compromise,” Palumbo said.

A new tradition for Holiday Lane?

In the spirit of peace and goodwill toward men and other sentiments of the holiday season, both the city and neighbors agree there has been a healthy dialog and exchange of ideas about what happens next, and all points are being heard and considered.

“Now we’re just working on what type of tree will still work for them and they can still maintain their tradition,” Goodwin said. “We’re still working with neighbors to make sure that everyone is at least part of the decision.”

Stolze said the city crews who removed the tree were nice, wonderful people who took extra care to make sure the lights were taken off intact, rolled up neatly and returned to neighbors.

Neighbors will be meeting soon to decide what to ask for, Stolze said. A list of a dozen varieties that would work well here along with an address for each type in the city has been shared for neighbors to look at, which Stolze said was a bit of extra legwork that didn't have to be done but is appreciated.

There may be some disappointment down the road, but the city and neighbors seem to share a vision of doing something special for Holiday Lane, Stolze said.

“I must say I’m happy so far with our city officials and their response,” Stolze said.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: The Christmas Tree on Holiday Lane in Canandaigua has been cut down