Hundred-foot-tall Christmas tree arrives at Americana at Brand
The Americana at Brand’s 100-foot-tall Christmas tree completed its 600-mile trek early Monday morning and was hoisted into place at the outdoor mall in preparation for its official unveiling later this month.
The massive white fir arrived by way of Mt. Shasta in northern California, resting on the back of a flatbed truck. Once the tree arrived, workers lifted all of its 13,000 pounds above the Americana and into a concrete hole.
The more than 80-year-old tree will be adorned with 15,000 lights and more than 10,000 holiday ornaments during the next few weeks by a group of three to four decorators. The tree will debut at a public tree-lighting ceremony to be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Americana.
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“We go big on holidays here,” said Julie Jauregui, senior general manager at the Americana. “The Christmas tree just brings a lot of joy to people and that’s really what it’s all about. It just makes the experience so much more special when you are doing your holiday shopping.”
Only white fir trees that are at the end of their life cycle are chosen as the official Christmas tree at the Americana, according to mall officials, and 10 new white firs are planted in place of each tree chosen annually to be featured at the Americana.
When the holidays end, the tree’s branches will be turned into mulch, and the trunk will be converted into firewood.
The tree lighting ceremony is a part of larger holiday events at the Americana, including Santa’s Village and artificial snowfall twice a week.
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Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com
Twitter: @JeffLanda