Elizabeth, NJ – Union County has chosen a North Plainfield evergreen as its holiday tree. The 25-foot blue spruce has been donated by North Plainfield resident Carlos Rodriquez.
Each year Union County chooses an evergreen to stand in the Courthouse Rotunda during the holiday season. Last year the tree was donated by the Wojtech family of Roselle Park.
Mr. Rodriquez, who recently purchased his home in North Plainfield, donated the tree because it had grown too large for his front yard.
On December 11, the Union County Shade Tree Bureau will fell the tree and load it onto a flatbed truck. It will be driven from North Plainfield to the Courthouse in Elizabeth. A crane will hoist the tree onto the front steps of the Courthouse.
“Once the tree gets to the courthouse steps the real work begins,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It is quite a feat to get the tree into the building and onto the stand.”
Hauling the tree from the top of the steps into the courthouse, and then erecting it in the rotunda requires the efforts of 20 to 30 workers.
As in years past, workers will take about three days to decorate the tree, which will take about 25 strands of lights. This tree will probably be cut down a bit to 18 feet to fit it through the courthouse doorway.
The public is invited to view the tree from December 11 until it is removed just before New Year’s Day. The public can also see the tree at a sing-along hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in December. The event will feature a visit from Santa, whose big red bag will contain gifts for the children who attend. |
